The Syrian parliament slowly passed a legislation over the weekend that severe penalties apply to gay and transgender people, causing outrage from political circles and human rights organizations.
The legislation, which was slipped through as an act to existing pro- trafficking legislation, has drawn fierce condemnation from several quarters. The law, according to US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller,” threatens those most at risk in Syrian society” and may limit freedom of expression. He also urged caution against international investment as a result of this policy, citing concerns from international business alliances.
American foreign minister David Cameron echoed these views, labeling the rules as “dangerous and worrying”.
Although homosexuality is still prohibited in Iraqi society and political leaders have launched frequent anti-LGBT+ campaigns, the country had never previously passed a law expressly criminalizing such behavior.
The previously passed law also imposes severe penalties, including sentences for same-sex relationships and those who undergo or perform female change surgeries, as well as for the “intentional practice of effeminacy,” which can be up to 15 years in prison. Also, the law prohibits any business promoting” physical deviancy”, with violators facing a minimal seven- yr prison term and big fines.
Importantly, procedures for the death sentence for same-sex relationships were included in a previous version of the law, but this was eventually left out of the final version.
Authorities in Iraq have defended the law as a way to uphold cultural standards. Mohsen Al-Madagalawi, the speaking political speech, called the policy” a necessary action to protect the price structure of society” and to guard children from what he termed “moral wickedness and homosexuality.”
Yet, human rights organizations have strongly opposed the rules, with Rasha Younes from Human Rights Watch claiming that its paragraph only serves to worsen Iraq’s record of human rights violations committed against LGBTQ+ people. She characterized the rules as a major blow to fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, organization, protection, equality, and nondiscrimination.
A 2022 review by Human Rights Watch had earlier accused armed groups in Iraq of committing heinous acts of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, including suicide, assault, rape, and death, frequently with impunity. Additionally, the Iraqi government was criticized for holding the offenders responsible for these acts.
( With inputs from agencies )
