Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union is concerned about the adoption of legislation in Iraq that provides for imprisonment for a period ranging from 10 to 15 years for persons who engage in consensual same-sex relations. According to a statement issued by the European External Action Directorate in Brussels
The European statement also said: “The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Iraq ratified in 1971, stipulates that laws prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination for any reason whatsoever.”
The European Union calls on Iraqi legislators to respect Iraq's international human rights obligations and effectively implement Article 14 of the Iraqi Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of origin, religion, belonging to minorities and other reasons.
The European Union will continue to take global action to prevent and condemn all forms of discrimination while advocating diversity, equality and inclusion as fundamental principles of just societies.