Law Draft Authorizing Muftis* to Perform Marriage Approved in Parliament

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Law Draft on Population Services protested by women with the “These Laws Can’t Pass as They Are” for weeks was approved in the parliament yesterday (October 19).

The law drafting granting muftis authority to perform marriage and imposing criteria of “public morality” in acquiring citizenship via marriage drew criticisms in public.

As to the law amendment draft that stirred criticism, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had said: "The Parliament will pass this law whether you like it or not".

The “public morality” criteria was removed from the draft through the consensus of all parties in the parliament.

Women have been protesting for weeks

As many as 100 women’s and LGBTI organizations had launched a campaign in the previous days called “These Laws Cannot Pass as They Are”.

As part of the campaign, the women went in front of the parliament and issued a statement for the press with the MPs from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).

Women’s simultaneous demonstrations continued in various cities for day.

CHP Women’s Branches took it to the street as well.

Upon objections raised by the woman MPs of opposition parties, it was sent to the sub-commission on October 3, for approval.
The sub-commission approved the draft as it was and sent it back to the Committee on Internal Affairs. (ÇT/TK)

*A mufti is an Islamic scholar who interprets and expounds Islamic law. Muftis are jurists qualified to give authoritative legal opinions.