Outcry as Iraqi Parliament Legalizes Child Marriage for Girls as Young as Nine

The Iraqi parliament has approved a law that allows children as young as nine to marry, prompting widespread outrage among women's rights activists and legal experts. The law, which abolishes a longstanding ban on child marriage established in the 1950s, grants religious authorities the power to oversee family matters, including marriage and divorce. Lawyer Mohammed Juma described the law as the "end of women’s rights and the end of children’s rights in Iraq." Female journalist Saja Hashim expressed fears over the influence of clerics in deciding the fate of women, highlighting the potential for retroactive applications of the law that may affect alimony and custody rights. Despite the law's justification for providing social security, statistics from a 2023 UN survey reveal that 28% of girls in Iraq are married before turning 18, often with negative consequences such as social stigma and limited educational opportunities. The new legislation sets the minimum marriage age at nine for Shia Muslim girls and 15 for Sunni girls, raising concerns about the implications for young female welfare. Critics argue that rather than strengthening protections against underage marriage, the law effectively institutionalizes it according to the prevailing religious laws. Alia Nassif, a member of the parliament's legal committee, announced plans to challenge the law in federal court, arguing that the vote was held without the required quorum of lawmakers present. Activist Benin Elias stated the need to combat such "barbaric decisions," calling for immediate action rather than despair.

The Iraqi parliament has enacted a law permitting marriages as young as nine years old, sparking widespread outrage among women's rights advocates and human rights organizations. The legislation, passed on January 21, 2025, delegates authority to religious leaders to govern family matters, including marriage and divorce, effectively lifting a ban on child marriages that had been in place since the 1950s. Critics argue that this law will undermine the rights of women and children, with lawyer Mohammed Juma stating, "We have reached the end of women’s rights and the end of children’s rights in Iraq." The new ruling allows religious sects to set the minimum age for marriage, which for Shia Muslim girls is notably lowered to just nine years, while Sunni girls can marry at 15. Activists express fear that the new law could be retroactively applied, impacting existing cases related to alimony and custody disputes. Raya Faiq, from the feminist group Coalition 188, reported emotional testimonies from women concerned about their children's futures under this new legal framework. According to a 2023 UN report, approximately 28% of girls in Iraq are married before reaching 18, with many entering these unions as a means to escape poverty, often resulting in a cycle of social stigma and limited opportunities due to interrupted education. Opponents of the law have indicated plans to challenge its passage in federal court, citing a lack of quorum during the voting process. Observers continue to voice fears about the implications of prioritizing religious authority over legal protections for women and minors in Iraq.

For the first time, UK investigators have actively participated in the arrest of suspected human traffickers in Iraq. Officials from the National Crime Agency (NCA) collaborated with local security forces to apprehend three men believed to be involved in trafficking up to 1,000 migrants from the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI). The suspects are reportedly linked to Amanj Hassan Zada, a Britain-based smuggler who was sentenced to 17 years in prison in November for his involvement in smuggling operations. NCA director-general of operations, Rob Jones, emphasized the significance of this operation, stating that it stems from evidence collected during investigations in the UK. The suspects have been charged and will face trial in KRI, where it is believed their operations were based. Among those arrested, one individual is alleged to have managed financial transactions using the informal Hawala banking system, a method commonly utilized in Islamic cultures for untraceable money transfers. Another suspect is accused of orchestrating the transport of migrants on various yachts, while the third organized groups of migrants preparing for travel. The NCA has followed the trail from Zada's activities in Preston, England, all the way to the KRI, showcasing the international scope of this criminal network. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper remarked on the operation's success, which aligns with the UK government's strategy to combat human trafficking and dismantle smuggling networks exploiting desperate individuals. As part of its ongoing efforts, the UK government has increased funding to the NCA to enhance operations against human traffickers. In the past year, the agency has arrested 227 suspects and is currently investigating 70 people smuggling gangs.