Amendments to Iraq's personal status law have been suspended by the country's Supreme Court, pausing plans to allow girls as young as 15 to marry. The bill, early drafts of which suggested reducing the marriage age to nine,

The amendments give Islamic courts increased authority over family matters, including marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

Iraq passes shocking amendments allowing child marriage from age nine, sparking international human rights criticism and deep concerns about women's and children's protection.

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily suspended the implementation of three laws concerning general amnesty, personal status, and the return of land confiscated under the Baath regime to its original Kurdish owners,

A storm of reactions has erupted from lawmakers and organizations in Iraq following the passage of a law that allows child marriages from the age of nine. Activists have strongly criticized the law, stating that it amounts to the “legalization of child rape.”