Iraqi MPS to debate revised bill critics fear will allow 9 year old girls to marry

[Artaxerxes II]

https://www.timesofisrael.com/iraqi-mps ... -to-marry/:

BAGHDAD, Iraq — 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, including allowing the marriage of girls as young as 9.

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 9 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 finalize the changes.

The draft law has already undergone two readings, with votes previously delayed.

An earlier version faced a backlash from feminists and civil society groups.

[Artaxerxes II]

Following the celebration of what may have been a victory for MAPs and youth rights:
https://forum.map-union.org/viewtopic.php?t=637
https://forum.map-union.org/viewtopic.php?t=660

It looks like, rather than changing the status quo, the Iraqi parliament has instead opted for maintaining the status quo following a flurry of feminists/NGO backlash and (likely) pressure from he US which still has military bases in Iraq. The hopes for greater MAP rights in Iraq or at least some legal sanction for MAP-AAM relationships even within a restricted context have been dashed. Sigh.

I don't get what's the point of the Iraqi parliament bowing down to antis when the revision will likely result in their demands for the minimum marriageable age of 15 to be done away with as well. Once you give your enemy an inch, they'll demand a mile next, as the saying goes.