Coalition 188 reaffirms opposition to Iraq’s personal status law amendments

NAJAF — Coalition 188, a pressure group defending Iraq’s current Personal Status Law against the controversial proposed amendments, held a press conference on Saturday at the Iraqi Communist Party headquarters in Najaf to reaffirm its opposition to changes to Iraq’s Personal Status Law. The coalition denied claims of internal divisions or member withdrawals, asserting instead that support for their demands is increasing.

The first reading of the proposed amendments on Aug. 4 triggered widespread protests in multiple cities. On September 16, the amendments were presented for a second reading in parliament. Last week, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court said the amendments would align with the constitution.

There have been recent reports of trouble in the ranks of the pressure group, claims the coalition denies. Speaking to 964media, Hassanein Al-Amidi, a member of Coalition 188, stated, “We were surprised by questions of some journalists suggesting divisions or withdrawals from the coalition. This is completely false. The coalition is united, and just 24 hours ago, we held a meeting in one of the Iraqi provinces that lasted late into the night.”

Coalition 188 includes various civil society organizations, non-governmental entities, public figures, academics, activists, and human rights advocates. The coalition’s name refers to the 1959 Personal Status Law, officially titled Law No. 188 of 1959.

Al-Amidi added that new supporters from various provinces have joined Coalition 188, further strengthening their opposition to the proposed amendments. He confirmed that if the law passes, the coalition will take legal and protest actions within constitutional frameworks.

Saba Rahim Al-Shimkhi, another member of Coalition 188, explained the group’s stance to964media: “We reject the proposed amendments due to the way they were introduced by Parliament, which violates the Iraqi Constitution. These changes would regress Iraqi society instead of developing it. We also reject the inheritance clause, as it contradicts both the constitution and the Quran.”

The proposed amendments would give Iraqis the option to have family affairs handled by either religious authorities or the civil judiciary. Critics express concern that this could result in diminished rights related to inheritance, divorce, and child custody, and might also remove the minimum marriage age for Muslim girls, which is currently set at 18 under the 1959 Personal Status Law.

In a statement from the Najaf branch of Coalition 188, the group expressed strong opposition to attempts to impose amendments on the Personal Status Law. The coalition criticized the ruling parliamentary bloc for pushing the amendment despite deep divisions in Iraqi society and among political forces. They argue that the changes conflict with human rights, democracy, and international treaties to which Iraq is a signatory.

The Shia Coordination Framework, Iraq’s largest parliamentary bloc, backs the amendments, framing them as a matter of “freedom of choice.” Meanwhile, a women’s opposition bloc, consisting of female MPs from various political parties, has been formed in the Iraqi Parliament to challenge the proposed amendments.

“The law has only been discussed in two sessions, and the majority of participants were supporters of the amendment,” the coalition noted, describing the situation as a deliberate attempt to avoid serious dialogue about the potential dangers of the proposed changes and to impose political will.

The coalition also condemned recent actions aimed at “stifling dissent”, including restrictions placed on legal scholars who are now required to obtain university approval before expressing their views on television. The Iraqi Media and Communications Commission has also reportedly instructed media outlets to limit discussions on the law to certain perspectives, while the Lawyers’ Syndicate has taken disciplinary action against lawyers who voiced opposition to the amendments, according to the statement.