Iraqi lawmakers and human rights activists have begun earnest efforts to promote a draft law against domestic violence, seeking to present it again for a vote in parliament. This move comes in response to a notable increase in domestic violence cases in Iraq and the absence of strict, clear laws to effectively address this phenomenon.
In 2020, the previous Iraqi government approved the draft law against domestic violence and referred it to the House of Representatives; however, it was not passed. There were strong objections from influential political blocs, which argued based on religious beliefs, claiming that the law adopts Western ideas and grants women rights that could encourage rebellion, including the right to receive government assistance.
Members of parliament have been working for weeks to garner support for the law and to convince political blocs that are apprehensive about its passage, aiming to achieve a consensus in favor of the law during the current parliamentary session. In their view, the success of this step would represent a victory for Iraqi society as a whole.
Statements from Supporters
MP Nour Nafeh Al-Jalahehawi, a member of the Civil Society Organizations Committee, noted that at the beginning of this year, nearly a hundred deputies collected signatures to support the presentation of the domestic violence protection law to parliament.
However, this request has not yet received a serious response, and the law has not been included in the parliamentary agenda despite its significant importance and the grave consequences of the continuation of domestic violence.
According to Al-Jalahehawi, the rejection of the law by political blocs stems from ignorance of its details, accusing supportive blocs of attempting to dismantle families and promote Western values that do not align with Iraqi society.
Al-Jalahehawi emphasized that it is possible to draft a law that aligns with the Iraqi environment and society after comprehensive study and presentation of the project to community and religious leaders. The goal is to reach legislation that everyone agrees upon its importance.
Alarming Statistics
Safaa Al-Gharani, a member of the "Land of Hope" human rights organization, confirmed that domestic violence cases in the central and southern governorates are witnessing a worrying rise due to the lack of deterrent laws.
According to Al-Gharani, approximately 7,000 cases of domestic violence were recorded in the first five months of this year alone, most of which are concentrated in poor areas and southern and central governorates, followed by cities in the Kurdistan region.
Although these numbers represent a significant threat, the actual figure may be much higher, as many victims, especially women, do not report their experiences of violence.
The Role of Community Police
Captain Abbas Mardan, the director of the community police department in Al-Diwaniyah province, pointed out that the current government focuses on the role of community police, rather than the courts, in an attempt to navigate the social sensitivity surrounding these issues.
Mardan explained that there has been a noticeable increase in divorce rates, with numbers reaching 7,000 cases monthly in the province.
Mardan also highlighted the importance of establishing rehabilitation centers for survivors of domestic violence, affirming that these centers will help address cases before they are referred to the judiciary.
However, he criticized the current draft law for lacking specialized courts for domestic violence, calling for the allocation of courts and female judges to address these cases more effectively.
It is clear that the issue of domestic violence in Iraq requires urgent and comprehensive solutions, starting with the enactment of a law that provides necessary protection for victims, alongside enhancing community awareness and reform efforts.
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