It is 2024, and while the developing countries of the world can be seen taking steps towards progressive and humanitarian upliftment by proclaiming love to be an emotion that blossoms irrespective of gender bias and legitimising all sex marriages, Iraq has its own norms of what love is.
Recently, the parliament of Iraq approved legislation that criminalises same-sex relationships and makes it illegal and punishable by more than 15 years of imprisonment. Iraq is now planning to reduce its legal age of marriage for girls from 15 to 9. Women’s rights activists, along with the United Nations as a whole, are on an outcry as it is basically on the verge of legalising paedophilia.
Why are women activists protesting in Iraq?
Women’s rights activists around the world are anxious and are expressing their worries and concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law of Iraq, which has the potential to legalise child marriage. Women protested, pointing out the hypocrisy in the policymakers of Iraq, raising questions about whether they would let their 9-year-old daughter get married. The oppressed population of Iraq is caught in the crossfire of this backward and inhumane law that legalises child marriage.
Who is supporting the legalisation of child marriage in Iraq?
The proposed changes in the law are primarily supported by the Shiite lawmakers, it has an objective to base the personal status matters of Shiite and Sunni Muslim law. There have been waves of sparking fear among the civilians as it increases the fears of sectarianism and a shift of power dynamics from civil courts to religious clerics.
How did the people react to the amendments in the law?
The initial reading of the bill to legalise child marriage in the Iraqi parliament last Sunday was met with heavy and widespread criticism. Several protests were planned and executed in Baghdad in order to oppose the legislation. The bill requires three readings and thorough debates along with a unanimous vote to become law. The Iraqi communities reject the bill and have come forward to sign various petitions to oppose the law.
What does the current law of marriage in Iraq state?
The current Personal Status Law was established in 1959 and is widely known for its progressive stance on women’s rights. The legal age of marriage is set as 18, and it also restricts polygamy along with several sects that provide protection for women against spousal harm. The proposed amendments in the bill would permit religious endowments to oversee marriages and divorces by replacing the decision of the civil courts. It would also enable the Shiite Iraqis to follow the Ja’afari School of Jurisprudence, which legalises and permits child marriage for girls as young as 9 years of age.
Why is Iraq changing the legal marriage age in girls from 15 to 9?
The Iraqi government and the leaders think of it as a precautionary method that needs to be taken in order to protect the religious principles of Islam. According to a report from Reuters, the law will protect the Iraqi society from moral depravity and the call for homosexuality that has taken over the world. The law has received strong support from the Shi’ite Muslim parties, who are known for their conservative thoughts. They are also predominantly the dominant force in the Iraqi Muslim parliament.
What do the new amendments in the law state?
The law is known as the Law on Combating Prostitution and Homosexuality. It imposes a prison term of 10 to 15 years for same-sex relationships and also makes it a mandate for anyone promoting prostitution and homosexuality to face a minimum of seven years in imprisonment. Furthermore, the law also enforces a penalty of one to three years in prison for people and individuals who undergo a transformation in their “biological gender” or consciously dress in a considered effeminate manner. The law further prohibits organisations that advocate for homosexuality and penalise “wife swapping” with the punishment of imprisonment ranging from 10 to 15 years. Earlier, the bill initially contained provisions for the death penalty for same-sex acts.
How is the United Nations reacting to the situation in Iraq?
The lawmakers of the Iraqi government, like Raed al-Malik, came forward to say that the laws serve as a prevention measure in order to protect society from such acts. He also mentioned that enforcement of the statutes is delayed until the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani to the United Nations. He went on to say that the laws were condemned by both the United Nations and the European Union. He went on to say that the stance of the Iraqi government on the European Union not interfering in their internal matter is also firm. However, it went under several revisions after he constant disapproval and criticism from the United Nations and European Unions.
FAQ
What is sectarianism?
Sectarianism means being narrow-minded adherence to a specific sect, like an ethnicity or political party which leads to conflict between those of various sects and those who have varied beliefs.
Did Iraq criminalise same-sex marriage?
The parliament of Iraq approved legislation that criminalises same-sex relationships and makes it illegal and punishable by more than 15 years of imprisonment.
What is happening in Iraq right now?
The parliament of Iraq approved legislation that criminalises same-sex relationships and makes it illegal and punishable by more than 15 years of imprisonment. Iraq is now planning to reduce its legal age of marriage for girls from 15 to 9. Women’s rights activists, along with the United Nations as a whole, are on an outcry as it is basically on the verge of legalising paedophilia.
Why did Iraq change its legal age of marriage for girls from 15 to 9?
The Iraqi government and the leaders think of it as a precautionary method that needs to be taken in order to protect the religious principles of Islam. The law has received strong support from the Shi’ite Muslim parties, who are known for their conservative thoughts.
