Raed Fahmi, the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party
Media monitor
Communist Party leader warns against rushing Personal Status Law changes through political deals
BAGHDAD — Raed Fahmi, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party, cautioned on Monday against the push by “some political parties” to expedite amendments to the Personal Status Law through agreements between parliamentary blocs. He stressed that the law has profound social, political, and constitutional implications, and should be shaped by societal consensus, not just a parliamentary majority.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Fahmi said:
It is not acceptable to treat the proposed amendment to the Personal Status Law as a matter of political bargaining or electoral deals.
Certain political parties are pushing to rush this amendment through by making deals between blocs and legislative exchanges, aiming to pass it as part of a broader package of laws.
This approach raises several concerns:
-The amendment has long-term social, political, and constitutional implications that impact every Iraqi household, the cohesion of the social fabric, state-building, the principle of separation of powers, and the rights of women and children.
-Therefore, parliamentary blocs must not handle this matter based on narrow factional interests.
-Legislation related to personal status must achieve societal consensus, not just a parliamentary majority. It would have been more appropriate and safer for the amendment to be presented as a government-backed draft law, following thorough consultations inside and outside the House of Representatives, rather than being suddenly proposed by a deputy.
-Forcing this amendment through in a manner than breaks wills to secure narrow political and partisan gains will only deepen societal divisions, fuel sectarian intolerance, and increase social and political instability.
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