The Iraqi parliament is gearing up for a crucial session today where lawmakers will review and vote on three significant bills, along with the first reading of another proposed legislation.
The agenda outlines that the parliament will deliberate on the first amendment to the anti-prostitution law, the first amendment to the law governing agricultural land leases, and a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic passports from Iraq and South Korea.
Additionally, lawmakers will also conduct the first reading of the bill aimed at returning property to their rightful owners, a measure that encompasses various decisions made by the dissolved Revolutionary Leadership Council.
Of particular concern is the proposed amendment to the anti-prostitution law, which has stirred controversy both within Iraq and internationally. Several countries have exerted pressure on the Iraqi government to block its adoption, citing implications for human rights and individual freedoms.
The current anti-prostitution law, dating back to 1988, carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment and capital punishment for offenses related to sexual deviation, homosexuality, and the exchange of spouses for prostitution. Other provisions mandate up to seven years in prison for those engaged in activities deemed as advocating sexual deviance.
