Baghdad, April 28 -- The Iraqi parliament has passed a bill criminalising same-sex relationships inviting jail terms of upto 15 years, news reports said amid slogans raised by supporters of the new law proclaiming to help uphold religious values in the country.
Those who promote homosexuality or prostitution, doctors who perform gender reassignment surgery, men who "intentionally" act like women and those who engage in "wife swapping" will also face prison terms under the new legislation, a BBC report said.
Transgender people could also be sent to prison for one to three years under the new law. Major Iraqi political parties have in recent years stepped up criticism of LGBT rights, with rainbow flags being burned at protests.
Rights group...