A controversial amendment to Iraq’s Personal Status Law is sparking outrage, particularly among advocates for women’s rights. The proposed amendment would allow men to choose between Sunni or Shiite family law upon marriage, granting clerics unprecedented legal authority. Critics argue that this change would strip Shiite women of fundamental rights and potentially normalize child marriage.
Summary:
The amendment would affect inheritance laws, custody arrangements, and divorce proceedings based on sect. Sunni women could inherit under their marriages, while Shiite women would be denied this right. Sunni custody customs differ from Shiite, placing the father automatically as the custodian in Shiite marriages. The amended law also introduces “pleasure marriage,” raising concerns about child marriage and prostitution.
While Shiite parties support the amendment, Sunni parties are pushing for a general amnesty law. The fate of both laws is intertwined in negotiations. Critics fear the negative impact on women’s rights, with activists pledging to fight against the amendment.
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