BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's parliament recently passed amendments to its personal status law, stirring controversy and concern among human rights activists and lawmakers alike. Critics argue that these changes effectively legalize child marriage by granting increased authority to Islamic courts over personal and family matters.

The amendments, approved by a significant number of conservative Shiite lawmakers, allow clerics to interpret Islamic law regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance. Current Iraqi law mandates a minimum marriage age of 18; however, the amendments could enable marriage for girls as young as nine years old under certain interpretations of Islamic law, particularly the Jaafari school followed by many Shiite authorities. “This violates the rights of women and girls,” stated Intisar al-Mayali, a member of the Iraqi Women’s League. She expressed fears that these laws threaten women's rights to divorce, custody, and inheritance as well as their overall safety and well-being

Supporters of the amendments defend them as necessary to align Iraqi laws with Islamic principles and to reduce perceived Western influences on the nation's cultural fabric. Alongside the amendments, the parliament approved a general amnesty law that many believe disproportionately benefits Sunni detainees, along with a land restitution law aimed at resolving longstanding Kurdish territorial issues.

Discontent was palpable during the parliamentary session, which concluded in chaos as accusations arose concerning procedural violations. A parliamentary official, speaking anonymously, indicated that many lawmakers did not vote, thus breaching the legal quorum. Complaints emerged about how all three contentious bills were bundled together for voting, causing considerable frustration among legislators. Independent MP Raid al-Maliki remarked, “We are strongly supporting the civil status law, but it was combined with other laws…this might lead to a legal appeal at the federal court.”

As the nation grapples with these developments, the repercussions for women's rights remain a matter of grave concern. “This will have disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls,” al-Mayali asserted, reflecting widespread unease.

Additionally, another troubling incident on the same day involved the tragic loss of security personnel in an explosion linked to ongoing operations against the Islamic State group in the region.

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