Iraq legalises marriages from the age of nine

Iraq has passed a law allowing girls to marry from the age of nine, sparking a wave of criticism both domestically and abroad. The Guardian reports.

The Iraqi parliament approved amendments to the Personal Status Law, which expand the powers of Islamic courts in matters relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance. Until now, the minimum age for marriage was 18, with rare exceptions.

The changes now give religious leaders the right to act according to their own interpretation of Islamic law. According to the Jaafari school of Islamic jurisprudence, which many Shia religious figures in Iraq follow, girls are permitted to marry at the age of nine.

Opponents of the changes state that the new law threatens children's rights and opens the door to abuse and violations of their interests.

The situation worsened after a video, allegedly showing the wedding of a 35-year-old Iraqi man and a nine-year-old girl, went viral on social media. Although the authenticity of the footage remains in question, it drew widespread attention to the issue of child marriage in the country.

The adopted changes have caused a rift in society. Defenders of the law argue that it is in line with Islamic traditions, while its critics emphasise that it is a step back in the fight for women's and children's rights. The international community has also expressed concern about the potential consequences of the new measures.