Following passage last week

UN calls for alignment ‘with Iraq’s international human rights commitments’ in statement on Personal Status Law amendments

BAGHDAD — The United Nations in Iraq issued a statement on Friday addressing the Iraqi Parliament’s recent approval of amendments to the 1959 Personal Status Law.

“The United Nations in Iraq is closely following the latest developments regarding the Iraqi Council of Representatives’ approval of amendments to the 1959 Personal Status Law, along with other important legislation,” the statement said. “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.”

It stressed that the reforms should “meets the aspirations of the Iraqi people and preserves the country’s historic achievements and gains.” It highlighted its role in fostering dialogue, stating, “We have engaged extensively with the relevant Iraqi stakeholders and emphasized the need for a constructive and inclusive dialogue on this matter.”

The statement concluded by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to supporting Iraq in its journey toward human rights-based governance. “We will continue our efforts in this direction, reaffirming the United Nations’ steadfast support for Iraq in its aspirations toward a state governed by the rule of law and respect for human rights,” it said.

The Iraqi Parliament convened on Jan. 21,2025 to pass three contentious laws, sparking heated debate and criticism from lawmakers. The amendments to the Personal Status Law, championed by Shia factions, drew sharp attention. The Property Restitution Law, supported strongly by Kurdish and Turkmen MPs, aims to restore land confiscated during the Ba’ath era to its rightful owners. Meanwhile, the General Amnesty Law addressed long standing demands advocated by Sunni representatives.

The amendments to the Personal Status Law allow family matters, including inheritance, divorce, and child custody, to be resolved by either religious authorities or the civil judiciary, depending on individual preference. Critics expressed concern that the changes could weaken existing legal protections, particularly for women, with earlier drafts potentially lowering the minimum marriage age for Muslim girls, currently set at 18. The proposals sparked uproar and protest in Iraq since being introduced last year.

Coalition 188, a pressure group formed to defend Iraq’s 1959 Personal Status Law, held a press conference in Baghdad on January 23, 2025, expressing its rejection of recently approved parliamentary amendments. The group described the changes as a violation of the Iraqi constitution and emphasized its outreach to international human rights bodies to “pressure decision-makers in Iraq.”