Iraqi lawmakers pass a bill that critics say legalizes child marriage

Iraq's parliament passed controversial amendments to personal status laws, sparking criticism for potentially legalizing child marriage.

The amendments expand the authority of Islamic courts over family matters, undermining the existing 1959 law that protected women's rights. Critics argue that these changes allow clerics to marry girls as young as nine.

Human rights activists warn that this could have "disastrous effects on the rights of women and girls." The vote was chaotic, with accusations of procedural violations and a lack of quorum. Despite this, proponents argue the changes align with Islamic principles.