Iraq’s official media regulator has ordered all media and social media companies operating in the country not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance”. The regulator also banned the use of the term “gender”.
The rule applies to all phone and internet companies licensed by the regulator. A government spokesperson said a penalty for violating the rule had not yet been set but could include a fine.
The move comes amid increased criticism of LGBT rights by major Iraqi parties and Shi’ite Muslim factions, who have burned rainbow flags in protests against recent Koran burnings in Sweden and Denmark.
Iraq does not explicitly criminalise gay sex but loosely defined morality clauses in its penal code have been used to target members of the LGBT community. Human rights groups have documented cases of torture, killings, kidnappings, and blackmail of LGBT people in Iraq.
Iraq ranks as one of the worst countries in the world for LGBT rights, according to the 2023 ILGA World Report. The report said that LGBT people in Iraq face “extreme levels of violence and discrimination” and that there is “no legal protection for people on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity”.
The media regulator said in a statement that “the use of these terms is contrary to the morals and values of Iraqi society and Islamic Sharia law, which prohibit such acts that are considered sinful and shameful.”
The Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, a professional association of journalists, rejected the decision and said it was a violation of freedom of expression and a form of censorship. It also said it stigmatised a segment of society that already faced discrimination and violence.
Amnesty International, a human rights organisation, condemned the move as a dangerous step that would further isolate and marginalise LGBT people in Iraq. It also said it would fuel hatred and intolerance towards them. The organisation urged the Iraqi authorities to respect human rights and diversity, not impose censorship and bigotry.
Some LGBT people in Iraq spoke to the media anonymously and expressed their fear and frustration over the decision. Ali, a gay Iraqi man, said: “We are not sexual deviants. We are human beings who have the right to love and be loved. We are not harming anyone or violating any law. We are just asking for dignity and acceptance.”
Sara, a lesbian Iraqi woman, said: “Iraq is becoming more conservative and intolerant. The political parties and religious groups are using LGBT issues as a scapegoat to divert attention from the real problems facing the country, such as corruption, poverty, and insecurity.”
Relevant articles:
– Iraq Bans Media From Using Term ‘Homosexuality’, Says They Must Use ‘Sexual Deviance’ by Reuters, published on Aug. 8, 2023
– Iraq bans the term ‘homosexuality’, asks media to use ‘sexual deviance’ instead – ABC News, published on Aug. 9, 2023
– Iraq bans media from using term ‘homosexuality’, says they must use ‘sexual deviance’ by Timour Azhari and Omar Abdel-Razek, published on Aug. 8, 2023
– Iraq bans media from using term ‘homosexuality’, asks to use ‘sexual deviance’ by India Today Web Desk, published on Aug. 9, 2023