Iraq passes harsh anti-LGBTQ+ law imposing up to 15 years in prison, drawing backlash
PBS NewsHourMay 08, 2024
The Iraqi parliament is set to lower the legal marriage age from 18 to nine by amending a bill from 1959 called Law 188, which had established the current age of consent alongside other protections for women and girls.
The amendment, which is being pushed by the Shia Muslim majority in government, will also strip women's right to divorce their husbands, have custody of their children, and collect inheritance.
Law 188 did allow marriage at 15 years old, but only with a judge's and legal guardian's approval. However, unregistered religious marriages, according to the UN, has led to 22% of current marriages in Iraq being under the age of 14.
This amendment flagrantly undermines women’s and girls’ rights by not only puhing nine year olds into marriages, but also removing protections in divorce and weakening inheritance rights. If passed, Iraq will have breached its obligations under international human rights treaties like CEDAW and CRC. The government must reconsider this terrible idea.
What makes this so tragic is that Iraq, while not perfect, was not like this before the 2003 US invasion: neighborhoods were vibrant, families were together, and both boys and girls went to school. Unfortunately, in its arrogant pursuit of killing Saddam Hussein, the US government ripped Iraq apart, leaving it open for radical factions to take over the government.