Iraq's parliament has passed a controversial set of amendments to its civil status law, effectively legalising child marriage for girls as young as nine. The new legislation allows unregistered marriages to be formalised,

Iraqi lawmakers have passed amendments that give courts more authority in family matters, the Associated Press reported, and critics are concerned the move may spark a rise in child marriages. Newsweek contacted Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment via email outside normal business hours.

Iraq's parliament passed into law on Tuesday, a revised bill that had sparked outrage over fears it rolled back women's rights and permitted underage marriage. The parliament said on its website that it had adopted "the proposal to amend the Personal Status Law",

By Guest Contributor By Malak KhaledIraq’s parliament passed three controversial laws on Tuesday, leading to public outcry and criticism from human rights activists over the laws’ potential impact and the way they were passed.