A group of deputies representing a relative majority in the Iraqi parliament proposed amendments to the 1988 Anti-Prostitution Law that stipulate "the death penalty or life imprisonment" for anyone who "establishes a homosexual relationship," which has been criticized by human rights organizations, led by Human Rights Watch, as an attempt by the government to "divert public attention from its lack of achievements."

Under the controversial draft law, which was read for the first time on August 15 according to the council's agenda, those who "promote homosexuality" would be punished with a prison sentence of no less than "seven years." Deputy Saud Al-Saadi, head of the "Rights" parliamentary bloc and the political representative of the Iran-affiliated Hezbollah brigades, stated that the law "is still in the discussion and dialogue phase, exchanging views," clarifying that the amendment aims to "cover any area and fill any gaps."

Regarding the final form of the law, Deputy Al-Saadi said, "There seem to be developments in interpreting terms and introducing new terms such as gender... hence the idea of reading and amending," pointing out that there will be other readings of the draft law for which no final deadline has been set for its completion.

Deputy Sharif Suleiman, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, also stated in an article published by the government newspaper "Al-Sabah" that he supports the legislation of the law to affirm the "moral and humanitarian values" of society and combat "deviant phenomena within it," emphasizing that "there must be deterrent laws in this regard."