The Hindu: Published on December 02, 2024:
Why in News?
Iraq’s parliament is set to review a controversial family law Bill that allows individuals to choose between religious and state regulations for family matters. Critics, including Amnesty International, warn that the amendments could erode women’s rights, legalize underage and unregistered marriages, and reduce protections for divorced women.
Background:
Iraq’s family law currently sets the legal age for marriage at 18, with an exception for marriages at 15 with judicial and parental consent.
The proposed amendments aim to let people choose between state and religious regulations for family matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, and child custody.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Minimum marriage age could be set at 15 with court approval, and existing conditions would still apply.
Couples could opt for Shia Muslim or Sunni Muslim rules.
Religious clerics and lawyers would have four months to draft community-specific regulations, with parliament voting on the final version afterward.
Concerns Raised:
Civil society groups fear the amendments could legalize child marriages, with some interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence potentially lowering the marriage age to nine.
Amnesty International has warned that the changes might allow unregistered marriages, bypassing child marriage bans and reducing protections for divorced women.
Implications:
If passed, the law could increase societal divides by formalizing sect-based family law systems.
The amendments risk undermining women’s rights and protections in Iraq, potentially affecting millions of women and children.
Conclusion:
The proposed amendments to Iraq’s family law highlight the tension between religious traditions and modern legal frameworks. As the debate unfolds, the outcome will have profound implications for the rights of women and children in Iraq.
