Iraq's Parliament Approves Contentious Bill Despite Protests Concerning Women's Rights
Iraq's parliament has approved revised changes to the Personal Status Law and a general amnesty law, sparking criticism due to possible impacts on women's rights and legal procedures.
On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved a revised bill with amendments to the Personal Status Law and a second amendment to the general amnesty law.
These amendments sparked significant debate, particularly concerning women's rights and the possible legalization of underage marriage.
Originally enacted in 1959, the Personal Status Law was amended to allow individuals to choose between religious or civil regulations for matters like marriage, inheritance, divorce, and child custody.
An earlier version faced opposition from feminist groups and civil society organizations, fearing it would enable girls as young as nine to marry.
In response to the protests, the law was adjusted to set the marriage age at 18, with exceptions allowing marriage at 15 with the approval of a legal guardian and a judge.
Additionally, the amendments introduced the option to choose between Shiite or Sunni Muslim regulations, giving clerics and lawyers four months to develop specific community guidelines.
Amnesty International criticized the legislation, cautioning that it might weaken protections for women and girls in areas of divorce and inheritance.
Despite the amendments, concerns persist about the law's wider impact on women's rights.
Parliament also passed a general amnesty law, which has caused division among Iraq's political groups.
The law permits retrials for certain convictions, excluding those related to terrorism that resulted in death or permanent disability or involved the sabotage of state institutions.
It allows for new investigations in cases where confessions were allegedly obtained under torture or from unreliable sources.
Importantly, those convicted of embezzling public funds can benefit from the amnesty if they repay the stolen money.
The Taqadom party, the largest Sunni bloc, supported the amnesty, while Iraq's Sunni community has advocated for a review of terrorism-related convictions.
The new amnesty law excludes crimes such as rape, incest, and human trafficking.
Despite political agreement from Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish factions, several lawmakers criticized irregularities in the voting process.
MP Nour Nafe claimed that the laws were passed without a formal vote, leading some lawmakers to threaten legal action to dispute the session's validity.
These amendments sparked significant debate, particularly concerning women's rights and the possible legalization of underage marriage.
Originally enacted in 1959, the Personal Status Law was amended to allow individuals to choose between religious or civil regulations for matters like marriage, inheritance, divorce, and child custody.
An earlier version faced opposition from feminist groups and civil society organizations, fearing it would enable girls as young as nine to marry.
In response to the protests, the law was adjusted to set the marriage age at 18, with exceptions allowing marriage at 15 with the approval of a legal guardian and a judge.
Additionally, the amendments introduced the option to choose between Shiite or Sunni Muslim regulations, giving clerics and lawyers four months to develop specific community guidelines.
Amnesty International criticized the legislation, cautioning that it might weaken protections for women and girls in areas of divorce and inheritance.
Despite the amendments, concerns persist about the law's wider impact on women's rights.
Parliament also passed a general amnesty law, which has caused division among Iraq's political groups.
The law permits retrials for certain convictions, excluding those related to terrorism that resulted in death or permanent disability or involved the sabotage of state institutions.
It allows for new investigations in cases where confessions were allegedly obtained under torture or from unreliable sources.
Importantly, those convicted of embezzling public funds can benefit from the amnesty if they repay the stolen money.
The Taqadom party, the largest Sunni bloc, supported the amnesty, while Iraq's Sunni community has advocated for a review of terrorism-related convictions.
The new amnesty law excludes crimes such as rape, incest, and human trafficking.
Despite political agreement from Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish factions, several lawmakers criticized irregularities in the voting process.
MP Nour Nafe claimed that the laws were passed without a formal vote, leading some lawmakers to threaten legal action to dispute the session's validity.
