“The United Nations in Iraq underscores the importance of ensuring that legal reforms align with Iraq’s international human rights commitments, particularly in relation to safeguarding the rights and well-being of women and children,” the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said on X.
The parliament on Tuesday adopted controversial amendments to the Personal Status Law, permitting people to choose between civil or religious regulations for matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. For Shiites, the Jaafari school of law would apply, which allows marriage for girls as young as nine and boys at fifteen.
The revisions sparked outrage domestically and internationally. They also faced strong condemnation within the legislature, where over 130 lawmakers signed a petition opposing the changes.
In its statement, the UN said that they have “engaged extensively” with Iraqi stakeholders on the matter.
In October, Amnesty International called on Iraqi lawmakers to drop the amendments to the law, warning that the proposed changes were “paving the way for child marriages, as well as stripping women and girls of protections regarding divorce and inheritance.”
