Iraq is set to change its laws to allow men to marry girls as young as nine and strip women of rights around divorce, child custody and inheritance.
The country’s ruling conservative Shia Muslim parties are set to vote through amendments to the Law 188 - which was passed by a more progressive government in 1959.
A second reading was passed in September, despite thousands protesting it, with the Iraqi government stating it would protect girls from “immoral relationships”.
If passed, it means that Iraq will have the youngest age of consent in the world - with neighbouring Iran having the second youngest at 13.
As well as lowering the potential age of marriage, it will also remove women’s rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance, reports the Telegraph.
Razaw Salihy, Amnesty International’s Iraq researcher, said: “Iraqi lawmakers must heed the warnings of civil society and women’s rights groups on the devastating impact of these amendments.
“[They] would eliminate the current legal marriage age of 18 for both girls and boys, paving the way for child marriages, as well as stripping women and girls of protections regarding divorce and inheritance.”
The move will now proceed after the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruled that the amendments were aligned with Iraq’s constitution.
Sharia law is derived from the Quran as well as writings on the Prophet Muhammad although different individuals and governments interpret the laws differently.
Shia law - which relates here - is a version of Sharia law that considers rulers or imams to be divinely inspired.
Similar amendments to those proposed by Iraq were put forward in 2014 and 2017 but failed to pass due to nationwide outcry, Amnesty has said.
Ms Salihy added: “Not only does child marriage deprive girls of their education, but married girls are more vulnerable to sexual and physical abuse, and health risks related to early pregnancy.
“It is alarming that these amendments to the Personal Status Law are being pushed so vehemently when completely different urgent legal reforms are needed to protect Iraqi women and girls’ rights.”
