On Thursday, the Parliament adopted a resolution on human rights issues in Iraq by a show of hands. The resolution focuses on women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are urging Iraq’s Council of Representatives (Parliament) to fully and immediately reject the amendments to the Personal Status Law. MEPs are warning of the consequences of this recent proposal, which violates Iraq’s international obligations on women’s fundamental rights.
The MEPs also praise the women, including Members of the Iraqi Parliament, who have condemned the reform, as well as the NGOs, activists, and members of civil society who are fighting to preserve one of the most progressive laws in the region.
Additionally, the resolution highlights that the penal code does not legally protect women and child victims of domestic violence in the country. It deplores the fact that the proposed amendments to the law if enacted, would lead to an even more radical application of Sharia law.
The resolution urges Iraq to adopt a national action plan to eliminate child marriage, criminalise marital rape, fight domestic violence, and strengthen women’s and girls’ rights, in line with the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Furthermore, MEPs call on the EU delegation to Iraq to make development grants conditional on judicial training on sexual and gender-based violence and the establishment of women’s shelters. They also demand that member states increase their support to women’s and children’s rights defenders in Iraq.
