Proposed changes to Iraq’s personal status law threaten to undermine the rights of women and children: UN experts (EN/AR) – Iraq

GENEVA (24 September 2024) – UN experts* have expressed serious concerns about proposed amendments to the Personal Status Act No. 188 of 1959, which, if implemented, could undermine the country’s commitment to treat women and children equally.

“If these amendments are adopted, they risk seriously undermining fundamental human rights and the protection of women and children, including girls, in Iraq,” the experts said.

The amendments were adopted by the Iraqi parliament in second reading on September 16.

In a letter to the government of Iraq dated September 10, 2024, the experts expressed concern that the amendments to Iraqi Personal Status Law No. 188 “would represent a serious rollback of rights in a number of key areas affecting women and children, particularly in areas such as marriage, divorce and child custody” and “would likely exacerbate the prevalence and forms of violence against Iraqi women and girls.”

They warned that if the amendments are adopted, the impact on wider Iraqi society will be felt and will undermine society’s obligations to ensure equal treatment for women and girls and protect the rights of children.

“We call on all relevant stakeholders in Iraq to consider the significant negative implications of these proposed amendments,” the experts said. “The Iraqi government must ensure that there is a fully transparent and inclusive debate on these proposed amendments, and that the interests of women and children in Iraq are central to the deliberations and decision-making process.”

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The experts: Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; And Mother Fatima Singhateh, Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children.

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, focuses on specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

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