2023-08-09 13:50:00
© HUSSEIN FALEH/AFP via Getty Images
In response to the instruction issued by the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission, according to which the media must replace the term “homosexuality” with “sexual deviance” in both their publications and audiovisual broadcasts, Aya Majzoub, director Amnesty International’s Deputy for the Middle East and North Africa, said:
“The instruction from the official Iraqi media regulator is the latest in a series of attacks on freedom of expression disguised as respect for ‘public morals’. The Commission’s ban on using the word ‘homosexuality’ and insisting that the media use ‘sexual deviancy’ instead is a dangerous move that can fuel discrimination and violent attacks against members of the LGBTI community.”
“Furthermore, this prohibition and the demonization of the word ‘gender’ show cruel contempt for the fight against gender violence at a time when civil society has been denouncing an increase in crimes against women and girls, in the midst of generalized impunity.”
“The Iraqi authorities must immediately reverse this decision and ensure that they respect the right to freedom of expression and non-discrimination for all people in the country, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.”
In Iraq, political parties have been increasingly critical of the rights of LGBTI people, and have often Burned rainbow flags and have made wild statements blaming homosexuality for the spread of disease.
Between January and June of this year, the Ministry of the Interior conducted a campaign to crack down on “indecent content” on the web and, relying on imprecise public morality laws, prosecuted at least 20 people for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression. On 18 July Amnesty International raised concerns that the government had reintroduced two bills into Parliament that, if passed, would seriously limit the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Iraq.
#homosexuality #gender #prohibited #terms