Human rights groups and diplomat have criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.

New legislation passed by the Iraqi parliament covers acts including “promoting homosexuality” and “biological sex changes based on personal desires and inclination.”

US state department says law could drive away foreign investment while David Cameron described it as ‘dangerous and worrying’

Iraq's parliament has passed a bill criminalising same-sex relationships with jail terms of between 10 and 15 years. Transgender people could also be sent to prison for between one and three years under the new law. Supporters of the changes say they will help to uphold religious values in the country.

Iraq has passed a harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law which would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.

Amendments to anti-prostitution law also enable courts to sentence trans people to three years in prison

Iraq's parliament passed a law criminalising same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence on Saturday, in a move it said aimed to uphold religious values but was condemned by rights advocates as the latest attack on the LGBT community in Iraq.

Law also includes prison sentence for anyone who changes their ‘biological gender’ or dresses in an effeminate manner

Iraq's parliament passed a bill on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a move rights groups condemned as an "attack on human rights." Transgender people would be sentenced to three years in jail under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law,