The law passed Saturday “threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society” and could be used to suppress freedom of speech and expression, US State Department press secretary Matthew Miller said in a statement.
The passage of the law could lead to a drain on foreign investment from Iraq, he warned.
“International business coalitions have already made it clear that such discriminatory Iraqi laws can harm business and economic growth in the country,” Miller said in a statement.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron described the law as “dangerous and worrying”.
Although homosexuality is taboo in the predominantly conservative Iraqi society, but political leaders have occasionally launched campaigns against the LGBT community, homosexuality has not been criminalized until now.
The new norms against same-sex relationships were adopted as an addition to the Prostitution Prohibition Act.
The zero-approved norms set ten to 15 years in prison for same-sex relationships, and one to three years in prison for people who undergo sex reassignment surgery, as well as for “intentional effeminacy.”
Organizations that promote, as the authors of the law state, “sexual deviations” are prohibited by law, with a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a fine of no less than ten million dinars (7,600 euros).
An earlier version of the Prostitution Prohibition Act, which was not adopted, provided for the death penalty for same-sex relationships.
Tags: Dangerous disturbing West criticizes Iraqs antihomosexual law
