Baghdad women protest amendments to Personal Status Law on Saturday. (Photo: 964media)
Outcry continues
Baghdad women protest ‘sectarian’ amendments to Personal Status Law
BAGHDAD — Dozens of activists and human rights representatives gathered in Firdos Square on Saturday to protest recent amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law. The controversial changes target Law No. 188 of 1959, a longstanding statute that governs marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
On Jan. 21, parliament convened and approved three contentious laws in a single session, sparking intense debate. Among them, the amendments to the Personal Status Law drew sharp criticism, primarily from Shia factions that championed the changes. The same session passed the Property Restitution Law, favored by Kurdish and Turkmen MPs to return Ba’ath-era confiscated land, as well as a General Amnesty Law advocated by Sunni representatives.
Bushra Abu Al-Iss, a member of Coalition 188, told 964media, “We, as defenders of human rights, object to the process of voting on three laws in a single session. This issue is facing political and public controversy.”
Coalition 188—which includes civil society groups, NGOs, academics, and activists—derives its name from the original 1959 law.
“Unfortunately, the Personal Status Law was passed, and we are here to exercise our democratic rights, challenge this law, and pressure the legislative authority,” she said. “The law has harmed Iraqi women’s rights in several ways, including allowing marriage at 15 and dividing society along sectarian lines. We oppose these amendments.”
According to the revised measure, family matters such as divorce, inheritance, and custody can be handled either by religious authorities or in civil court, based on individual preference. Critics warn this undermines previous legal protections for women and children, pointing to earlier drafts of the proposals that may have lowered the legal marriage age for Muslim girls.
Protests have flared repeatedly since these proposals were introduced last year. Many demonstrators argue the amendments will erode the decades-old legal framework that has governed Iraqi families.
“We object to everything that is happening, and we support keeping Law 188, which guarantees the rights of all Iraqis,” activist Koria Riyah told 964media. “Iraq is a country of multiple sects and religions.
“This law has been in effect for many decades, and most Iraqis have married and divorced under it.”
She questioned whether the changes serve particular interests. “So why change it now? Does it serve a particular influence, ideology, or group interest?”
“In most countries that respect human rights, if five people protest, their rights and laws would be reconsidered,” she said. “But in Iraq, this does not happen, and we have no choice but to continue protesting until our demands are met.”
