The Iraqi authorities want to vote for an amendment that would lower the age of consent for girls from 18 to 9, Kursiv reports . They plan to protect them from “immoral relationships.”
The amendment was submitted by representatives of ultra-conservative Muslim parties. The amendment would also repeal the 1959 Personal Status Act, which allows people to marry from the age of 18, the newspaper writes, citing The Telegraph.
Under the new bill, the age of consent for girls will be reduced from 18 to 9 years, and for boys to 15 years. In addition, women will lose the right to divorce, inheritance and custody of children. The authors of the amendment believe that these changes correspond to the correct interpretation of Islamic law and will protect girls from immoral relationships.
Discussions about the bill began back in August of this year. Then the Iraqi parliament adopted the amendment in the first reading. In September, the second reading of three took place. This was reported by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch.
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Cover: reuters.com