C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
Violence against individuals on grounds of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity
25. The Committee is concerned at reliable reports of attacks, some of which have resulted in deaths, against individuals perpetrated on grounds of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. According to the information before the Committee, these attacks occur regularly and with impunity. The Committee appreciates the State party’s creation of a governmental commission for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, but regrets the lack of information as to its concrete activities. It is also concerned by the report of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq on human rights in Iraq issued in October 2012 (pp. 15-16) and other reports regarding the murder of young Iraqi “emos” (a teen subculture) on account of their identity (arts. 2, 4, 14 and 16).
The State party should take effective measures to prevent violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and ensure that all acts of violence are investigated and prosecuted promptly, effectively and impartially, perpetrators brought to justice and victims provided redress.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CAT-Iraq-2015-eng