BAGHDAD: Iraq’s official media regulator has introduced new language guidelines that banned the terms “homosexual” and “homosexuality” from all media and social media platforms.
Instead, Iraq’s official media regulator has mandated the usage of the term “sexual deviancy”, according to media reports.
The Media and Communications Commission of Iraq has stated that this directive is aimed at safeguarding societal values and maintaining public order, as reported by CBS News. The commission’s decision, as outlined in a document shared by an Iraqi news outlet, also extends to the term “gender,” which has been deemed to carry undesirable connotations within Iraqi society.
Furthermore, the directive extends to phone and internet companies under the commission’s licensing purview, instructing them not to use the banned terms in their mobile applications.
It’s important to note that the commission’s decision is pending final approval, and the specific penalty for violating this order has not yet been established. Reuters suggests that a fine might be imposed in the future.
While Iraq does not explicitly criminalize homosexuality, a provision in its penal code prohibits “immodest acts” in public. This clause, identified by Human Rights Watch (HRW), has raised concerns as it could be interpreted in a way that targets sexual and gender minorities.
HRW’s review of Iraq in 2021 highlighted the prevalence of domestic violence against LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. A subsequent report in 2022 underscored that various armed groups continue to engage in heinous acts such as abduction, rape, torture, and murder of LGBTQ+ individuals. This report criticized the Iraqi government for its perceived failure to hold these groups accountable for their actions.
Notably, last year saw the initiation of an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign by a prominent Iraqi cleric. The cleric’s statement, posted on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter), called for global unity among “believing men and women” to counter the LGBTQ+ community.
These developments raise concerns about the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals in Iraq, as well as the potential impact of language regulations on their visibility and inclusion. The regulatory decision has sparked debate over freedom of expression, societal attitudes, and human rights within the country.
