BAGHDAD – Iraq’s parliament was set to review contentious legal amendments yesterday, including a reworked Family Law Bill that has sparked civil society outrage over fears of a resurgence in underage marriages.

The proposed amendments would let people choose between religious or State regulations
 for family matters  such as marriage, inheritance, divorce and child custody.

Critics fear the move could erode protections for Muslim women by lowering the legal age for marriage – currently set at 18, or 15 with the consent of legal guardians and a judge – and pave the way for the adoption of Islamic jurisprudence that could allow marriages as young as nine years old.

A revised version of the Bill sets the minimum age at 15 with court approval, and retains “current conditions”, according to MP Raed al-Maliki, who backs the new proposals.

Couples could opt for Shiite Muslim or Sunni Muslim rules under the amendment.

If passed, clerics and lawyers would have four months to establish community-specific regulations. Parliament would then vote again to finalise the changes.

The draft law has already undergone two readings, with votes previously delayed.

An earlier version faced backlash from feminists and civil society groups.

In October, Amnesty International warned the amendments could legalise unregistered marriages – often used to bypass child marriage bans – and strip protection for divorced women.

The London-based rights group also voiced concerns that the amendments would strip women and girls of protection regarding divorce and inheritance.

Yesterday’s parliament session was also to include a vote on a general amnesty law.

Excluded from amnesty are convictions for terrorism and crimes like rape, incest, human trafficking and kidnapping.

The amnesty, covering 2016-2024, could apply to drug users, but not traffickers, according to Maliki.

Cases based on evidence from “secret informants” may qualify for retrial.

The previous 2016 amnesty reportedly covered 150 000 people. 

– Nampa/AFP