Passage of harsh anti
BAGHDAD (AP) — Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that the law passed Saturday “threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society” and “can be used to hamper free-speech and expression.” He warned that the legislation could drive away foreign investment.
“International business coalitions have already indicated that such discrimination in Iraq will harm business and economic growth in the country,” the statement said.
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron called the law “dangerous and worrying.”
Although homosexuality is taboo in the largely conservative Iraqi society, and political leaders have periodically launched anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns, Iraq did not previously have a law that explicitly criminalized it.
Related articles
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
CAIRO (AP) — Human rights experts working for the United Nations on Monday urged Yemen’s Houthi rebe2024-05-21NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of2024-05-21Taylor Swift 'calls out Kadarius Toney' on The Tortured Poets Department song about Travis Kelce
The Taylor Swift fans that have been converted into football followers have joked she has called out2024-05-21NWSL champion Gotham FC sign German goalkeeper Ann
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Defending champion NJ/NY Gotham FC has acquired German international goalkeepe2024-05-21Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanam2024-05-21Stevie Nicks provides poem about ill
Stevie Nicks provided a poem for Taylor Swift's highly anticipated new album The Tortured Poets Depa2024-05-21
atest comment