Iraqis demand amendment of family protection law to prevent violence

Iraqi constitution prohibits all acts of violence and domestic abuse, criminal law criminalizes physical assault. However, the family protection law does not explicitly state domestic violence, article 41-1 gives the husband legal right to punish his wife and parents the right to discipline their children within the parameters of law and social norms.

There have been increasing demands to make amendments to the family protection law in order to mitigate domestic violence that has spread lately. Recent discussions regarding this matter have taken place during a seminar titled ‘project to support legislating the protection from domestic violence law’.

The seminar was attended by members of Iraqi Parliament, Interior Minister and many civil society activists. Attendees discussed the amendment and law proposal to be presented by a specialized committee to parliament for debate.