Iraq bans use of term "homosexuality," mandates "sexual deviance" reference in media
Iraq's official media regulator has issued a directive, instructing all media and social media entities operating within the country to refrain from using the term "homosexuality."
Instead, the directive mandates the use of the phrase "sexual deviance," according to a statement from a government spokesperson and an official document from the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC).
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) has issued a directive that prohibits all media and social media companies operating within the nation from utilizing the term "homosexuality." Instead, the directive mandates the use of the term "sexual deviance."
The term "gender" has also been banned for use within the media and social media platforms. Furthermore, phone and internet companies operating under the licenses issued by the CMC have been directed to uphold these language guidelines and abstain from incorporating the proscribed terms into any of their mobile applications.
The regulator's statement, addressing media organizations, unequivocally underscores the newly established language protocol. It explicitly states that the term "homosexuality" should be replaced with the more specific term "sexual deviance."(ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
The United Arab Emirates has lifted its travel ban on citizens visiting Lebanon, allowing Emirati nationals to resume travel to the country from Monday following weeks of restrictions imposed due to regional security concerns.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ridiculed Russia’s repeated failures to seize the Donetsk region, stating that Moscow has set as many as 15 different deadlines for its capture since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, all of which have passed without success.
Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem has reported that 54 Palestinian children and teenagers were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank during 2025, raising serious concerns over the use of lethal force, access to medical care, and the treatment of victims’ bodies.
The United States and Iran have issued conflicting statements over reported technical talks in Qatar's capital, Doha, highlighting continued uncertainty over the implementation of a recent bilateral understanding while tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz.