Amnesty International today called on Iraqi lawmakers to reject proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law, warning that the changes could significantly undermine women and girls’ rights and lead to a rise in child marriages. The amendments, which are set for an imminent parliamentary vote, have been met with widespread concern from civil society and women’s rights groups.
Razaw Salihy, Amnesty International’s Iraq researcher, emphasized the harmful consequences of the proposed changes, which would lower the legal marriage age from 18 to allow child marriages, potentially as young as nine. “These amendments will pave the way for child marriages, strip women and girls of crucial protections related to divorce and inheritance, and entrench discrimination against them,” Salihy said.
Child marriage, according to human rights experts, denies girls their right to education, subjects them to higher risks of sexual and physical abuse, and presents serious health dangers related to early pregnancy. “The amendments being pushed forward are a dangerous step backwards,” Salihy added. “Rather than focusing on this, Iraq’s lawmakers should be addressing the pressing issues affecting Iraqi women, such as the outdated Penal Code that permits ‘honour’ killings and allows for the corporal punishment of wives and children.”
The proposed changes would grant religious councils from both Sunni and Shia sects the authority to create their own personal status codes, further eroding women and girls’ rights and creating a patchwork of legal protections. This shift risks further discrimination and unequal treatment under the law, particularly for women and girls who already face significant societal and legal challenges.
Furthermore, the amendments could legalize unregistered marriages, a loophole that has often been exploited to bypass child marriage laws. It would also eliminate penalties for adult men and clerics who conduct such marriages, further undermining protections for women.
The bill’s proposed amendments also fail to align with Iraq’s international obligations under conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). These international treaties obligate Iraq to safeguard the rights of women and children, particularly when it comes to issues of marriage, divorce, and protection from harm.
“These amendments not only violate Iraq’s international commitments but also go against the very principles of equality and dignity,” said Salihy. “It is imperative that Iraq’s government upholds its responsibilities to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of all its citizens, especially women and girls who are already vulnerable.”
The Personal Status Law, which governs matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, currently applies to all Iraqis, regardless of religious affiliation. However, the new amendments would grant significant authority to religious councils to make decisions on personal status matters, potentially undermining national legal standards and posing a serious threat to women’s rights.
“Lawmakers must reject these amendments and instead focus on reforms that truly address the challenges Iraqi women face,” said Salihy. “The law should protect women’s rights, not undermine them. Iraq’s future depends on the respect and protection of its citizens’ rights, especially those of its most vulnerable members—its women and girls.”
Read More:
Common Law Marriage In Scotland: A Complete Overview
What are the Requirements for Common Law Marriage in New York?
Canada’s New Marriage Law: What You Need To Know