When a proposed amendment threatened Iraq’s Personal Status Law, PDO joined a coalition that carried the fight from the streets of Sulaymaniyah all the way to the European Parliament — and won a resolution in support.

As a member of Alliance 188 — Sulaymaniyah, PDO welcomed the European Parliament’s resolution P10_TA(2024)0020, which opposes amendments to Iraq’s Personal Status Law No. 188 of 1959.

The campaignMany fronts at once

From 24 July 2024, the Alliance — working alongside Tahaluf 188 Iraq — campaigned against one of the most conservative amendment proposals, which was read twice in the Iraqi Council of Representatives on 4 August and 16 September 2024. The effort spanned public gatherings, official correspondence, petition drives, memoranda in several languages, and appeals to representatives at the United Nations and the European Union.

The breakthroughReaching the European Parliament

A turning point came with direct engagement with EU Parliament Member Pierre Clausen (Red-Green Alliance, Denmark), which ensured the campaign’s advocacy materials reached lawmakers ahead of the 10 October 2024 session. The resolution adopted that day condemns violations of women’s and children’s rights in Iraq and urges the government to withdraw the amendment.

A significant milestone in protecting the rights of women and children — and the integrity of the Personal Status Law.