Polygamy Bill Amended by Iran MPs After Protests

A new family bill that would have made it easier for men to have multiple wives, has been amended by Iranian MPs following protests by both top clerics and women's rights advocates.

Parliament's judicial commission voted to scrap two articles, including one relating to polygamy, in the Family Protection Bill, committee spokesman Amin Rahimi told Iran News Network's website.

Polygamy Main AIDS Driver in Swaziland: UN Study
Traditional sexual practices including polygamy and promiscuity are driving rampant HIV-AIDS in Swaziland where nearly 40 percent of adults are infected, a UN study released Friday has found.

Article 23 required men simply to obtain a judicial permit to remarry to confirm they can provide financially for the new wife and that both wives will be treated equally.

Under current legislation, a man in most cases has to prove his first wife's consent for another marriage.

The second article, 25, imposed taxes on the dowry, the money or property pledged by the man to his bride, which she can claim at any time through the course of marriage or when getting a divorce.

Marry Again If You Wish to Increase Your Life Span
A novel research has shown that men from polygamous relationships seem to live longer than those from monogamous ones.

Iran's judiciary, which had originally drawn up the bill, said the two disputed articles had been added by the government.

Rahimi said the revision was ordered by parliament speaker Ali Larijani after "clerics, religious people and women expressed sensitivities" about the bill, which is yet to be adopted by the house.

Polygamist Cult Leader Convicted for Forcing 14-year-old into Marriage
Warren Steed Jeffs, 51, a self-styled prophet, has been convicted by a court in US as an accomplice to rape for forcing a 14-year-old follower to marry her 19-year-old cousin.

"We hope today's changes alleviate concerns in the society and Iranian women can raise their children and strengthen the foundation of family with relief," he added.

The new bill had sparked strong criticism in Iran, where polygamy remains relatively rare compared with some Muslim countries and is frowned upon by many.

Polygamy in Canada � Islamic Clerics Ignore Local Laws
Some Islamic clerics in Canada do not mind breaking the local laws and solemnizing polygamous marriages.

Many women, regardless of their reformist or conservative leanings, slammed the bill, saying it paves the way for rich men to take a second wife and "threatens the foundation and sanctity of the family."

Iran's Nobel peace laureate Shirin Ebadi said the bill would bring "moral corruption" to society and appeared in parliament last week along with dozens of rights advocates to urge MPs to reconsider the bill.

Source-AFP
RAS/L