The European Parliament demanded that the Iraqi Parliament completely and immediately reject the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law.

 
Members of the European Parliament warned, according to a statement, of the consequences of this latest proposal, which violates Iraq's international commitments regarding women's fundamental rights.

 
The members praised the women, including the Iraqi parliament members who condemned the proposal, as well as the NGOs, activists, and civil society members who are fighting to preserve one of the most progressive laws in the region.

 
They saw that the penal code does not protect women and children victims of domestic violence in Iraq, and therefore the proposed amendments to the personal status law, "if enacted," would lead to a "more radical" application of the law.

 
The European Parliament urged Iraq, in a decision made yesterday, Thursday, to adopt a national action plan to eliminate child marriage, criminalize marital rape, combat domestic violence, and promote the rights of women and girls, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The European Parliament called on the EU delegation in Iraq to "make development grants conditional on judicial training on sexual violence and the establishment of shelters for women, and to urge member states to increase their support for defenders of women's and children's rights in this country."