International Women’s Day 2012 and the Family Protection Bill in Iran

Written by ACI in 8 March 12

Date:   8 March 2012

International Women’s Day 2012 and the Family Protection Bill in Iran

While the world celebrates international women’s day today Iranian women face further legalised discrimination. On 6 March 2012, the outgoing eighth Islamic Consultative Assembly (the parliament) passed articles of the [anti] Family Protection Bill that

  • allows polygamy
  • allows temporary marriage lasting from a negotiated few minutes to a number of years
  • allows girls of thirteen and younger to be married
  • remains silent on domestic violence
  • does nothing to improve the existing discriminatory laws
  • does not offer women equal rights and equitable protection of law

Discrimination and unequal rights in general and in particular polygamy contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the Islamic Republic remains signatory. Article 23 stipulates that states must ensure that men and women have equal rights when marrying or at the dissolution of marriage.

On this day, we ask the international community to support the equal rights movement in Iran and condemn the use of any custom, tradition or religious consideration as an excuse for continued legalised discrimination.

  

Roya Kashefi

Human Rights Committee – ACI