Iraq Passes Law That Could Legalise Child Marriage For Girls As Young As 9, Activists Criticise Move

Iraq's new law allows clerics to set marriage age under Islamic law, making it possible for girls as young as 9 to marry. This is a horrifying assault on children's rights and human dignity. The world must unite to end child marriage."

Sneha Mordani, a news editor and anchor, wrote on X

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Without a vote, the House of Representatives passes the Personal Status Amendment and General Amnesty Laws. No hands were raised in approval and the vote passed. Members of the Presidency and members of the Council left the hall because of these farces."

Noor Nafea Ali, a member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, wrote on X, formerly Twitter

This violates their right to life as children, and will disrupt the protection mechanisms for divorce, custody and inheritance for women."

But Intisar al-Mayali, a human rights activist and a member of the Iraqi Women's League, said

Mahmoud al-Mashhadaniparliament Speaker

[The ... The laws are] an important step in the process of enhancing justice and organising the daily lives of citizens."

Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani commented

When a dispute occurs between the spouses regarding the doctrine according to whose provisions the marriage contract was concluded, the contract is deemed to have been concluded in accordance with the husband's doctrine unless evidence exists to the contrary."

The draft of the specific amendment reads

We have reached the end of women’s rights and the end of children’s rights in Iraq."

Lawyer Mohammed Juma, one of the most prominent opponents of the law, said

The fact that clerics have the upper hand in deciding the fate of women is terrifying. I fear everything that will come in my life as a woman.”

The Iraqi journalist Saja Hashim said

We received an audio recording of a woman crying her eyes out because of the passage of this law, with her husband threatening to take her daughter away unless she gives up her rights to financial support.”

Raya Faiq, spokesperson for the feminist group Coalition 188, said

The Iraqi state has never witnessed a decline and profanity that harmed Iraq’s wealth and reputation as we are witnessing today.”

Sajjad Salem, an independent MP, said

I am not shocked. But this is not the time for tears nor surrender to barbaric decisions.”

Benin Elias, an Iraqi journalist and women’s rights advocate, said

Half of the lawmakers present in the session did not vote, which broke the legal quorum,

a parliamentary official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly

Regarding the civil status law, we are strongly supporting it and there were no issues with that,

said Raid al Maliki, an independent MP