Women from CHP Show Red Card to Law Draft on Muftis*

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Rallying upon the call made by Republican People’s Party (CHP) İstanbul Provincial Women’s Branch, women have staged demonstration in Beşiktaş against the law drafting granting muftis authority to perform marriage and imposing criteria of “public morality” in acquiring citizenship via 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".

Men also attended the demonstration alongside the women’s organizations. Women waggled the red cards in their hands in protest of the law draft.

“Principle of equality is violated through this law”

“Religious marriage is not an ordinary religious practice, it is practice contravening rule of law. With this law, it will be paved the way for ‘child marriages’ because of lacking in inspection.

“With granting the muftis the authority to perform marriage, the state violates principle of equality.

“As in other countries, anyone who has official marriage performed is free to have their marriages performed in accordance with their belief including the marriage performed by imam”.

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. (TP/BC/TK)

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