Iraq MPs postpone vote on revised bill after outcry over underage marriage

BAGHDAD: Iraq´s parliament postponed until Monday a vote on controversial legal amendments, including a reworked family law bill that had sparked civil outrage over fears of a resurgence in underage marriages.

A session devoted to the legislation scheduled for Sunday did not go ahead and would now be held the following day, parliament´s communications department said.

The proposed amendments would let people choose between religious or state regulations for family matters, such as marriage, inheritance, divorce and child custody.

Critics fear the move could erode protections for Muslim women by lowering the legal age for marriage -- currently set at 18, or 15 with the consent of legal guardians and a judge -- and pave the way for the adoption of Islamic jurisprudence that could allow girls as young as nine years old to marry.

A revised version of the bill sets the minimum age at 15 with court approval and retains “current conditions”, according to MP Raed al-Maliki, who backs the new proposals.

Couples could opt for Shiite Muslim or Sunni Muslim rules under the amendment.

If passed, clerics and lawyers would have four months to establish community-specific regulations. Parliament would then vote again to finalise the changes.