Iraqi Lawmakers Pass Bill Legalizing Child Marriage

On January 21, the Iraqi parliament passed several laws that sparked intense debate. Among them were amendments to the personal status law, which have raised concerns among human rights organizations, reports NewsBox.

These amendments grant Islamic courts greater authority in family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Critics argue that these changes effectively legalize child marriages. The current Personal Status Law of 1959 sets the minimum age for marriage, in most cases, at 18. The new amendments allow clerics to make decisions based on their interpretations of Islamic law, which some believe permits marriages with adolescent girls, and according to the Ja'fari school of Islamic jurisprudence, even with girls as young as nine years, writes The Associated Press.

Supporters of these changes, mainly conservative Shia lawmakers, claim that they align legislation with Islamic principles and reduce the influence of Western culture on Iraqi society.

In addition to the amendments to the personal status law, the parliament also passed a general amnesty law, which is expected to benefit detained Sunnis but could also be interpreted as a way to avoid accountability for individuals involved in corruption and embezzlement. The third law passed relates to land restitution, aimed at resolving territorial disputes with the Kurds.

These three laws, enacted in one day, represent significant changes to Iraq's legal system, evoking controversy and mixed reactions from the public.