Women Denounce Misogynist Laws: ‘This Marriage Cannot be Performed’

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Women were on the streets in Kadıköy, İstanbul yesterday (October 17) evening to protest against the articles of the Law on Population Registration that allow Muftis*, religious leaders to perform a legally valid religious marriage, a verbal statement to be a legally valid form of declaration for a birth registration, and the criteria of "public morality" for acquiring citizenship through marriage.

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".

"Don't prevent divorce, prevent femicide"

Women protesting in Kadıköy carried banners saying "Together stronger", "For an equal and free life: These laws cannot be passed as they are", "The law on Muftis will be withdrawn", "I object to this Law on muftis", "We don't want the law on muftis, we want to live", "Authority for muftis to perform marriage is a guarantee for unequality" and "Don't prevent divorce, prevent femicide".

During the demonstration, the women also read out a letter addressed to the woman MPs and said "You are the woman members of this Parliament that is blacklisting women. Our hope is that women hear each other".

Parliament to discuss law draft

The draft on the Law on Population Registration religious leaders to perform a legally valid marriage, a verbal statement to be a legally valid form of declaration for a birth registration, and the criteria of "public morality" for acquiring citizenship through marriage.
was discussed at the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs.

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.

The draft which has also been approved by the Committee on Internal Affairs is expected to be discussed in the General Assembly of the Parliament this week.

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

(ÇT/DG)