<p>Cairo: The US State Department said that a law passed by Iraq’s parliament on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relationships was a threat to human rights and freedoms and would weaken Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.</p><p>"This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society. It can be used to hamper free-speech and expression and inhibit the operations of NGOs across Iraq," a State Department statement said.</p><p>Iraq's parliament passed a law on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence, saying the move aimed to uphold religious values. Rights advocates condemned the law as the latest attack on the LGBT community in Iraq. </p>
<p>Cairo: The US State Department said that a law passed by Iraq’s parliament on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relationships was a threat to human rights and freedoms and would weaken Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.</p><p>"This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society. It can be used to hamper free-speech and expression and inhibit the operations of NGOs across Iraq," a State Department statement said.</p><p>Iraq's parliament passed a law on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence, saying the move aimed to uphold religious values. Rights advocates condemned the law as the latest attack on the LGBT community in Iraq. </p>