Monday, December 2, 2002
Divorce rights bill moves forward in Iran
A story released today by Reuters reports that a bill passed by Iranian lawmakers giving women greater rights to divorce their husbands came closer to law yesterday after an Islamist watchdog group put its stamp of approval on the measure, already passed by Parliament.
Under the old law, a man could divorce his wife whenever he wished. Women could seek divorce only if their husbands had given them written permission, or were addicted to drugs, insane, or impotent.
The courts have also allowed divorces for other reasons, such as a husband's inability to provide financially for his family.
But the divorce applications have been granted on a case-by-case basis without the protection of a law and usually involve costly lawsuits requiring strong evidence to support the claim.
Female members of Parliament wanted a law passed that clarified under what circumstances a woman could ask for and obtain a divorce.
The bill is among steps being taken to broaden the rights of women, who have experienced greater freedoms since President Mohammad Khatami took office in 1997.
