Iran passes new ‘child protection’ law after controversy over death of teenage girl

The law classifies a child as a person who has not reached the “Sharia age of puberty,” and those under the age of 18 as adolescents who have reached the Sharia age of puberty. (File/Shutterstock)

• The recent murder of a 13-year-old girl by her father resurrected the debate over children’s rights in Iran
• However, the legal age of marriage is still unclear under the new law

Iran passed a new child protection law, after the death of a teenage girl – killed by her family caused an international outcry last month, Iranian daily Radio Farda reported on Monday. 
The recent murder of a thirteen-year-old girl, Romina Ashrafi, by her father, resurrected the debate over children’s rights in Iran.
Iran’s deputy for women’s and family affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar, said the bill “could definitely help judges in cases like Romina's murder.”
The bill, presented nine years ago by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was initially blocked by the Iranian Guardian Council – the government body that ensures legislation complies with Iran's constitution and Islamic sharia law.
Under the new legislation, authorities can intervene in cases of child abuse, while parents and legal guardians can be held accountable for “neglect of responsibilities” in education, as well as physical, mental and “moral” harm.
Such violations can lead to imprisonment.
However, the legal age of marriage is still unclear under the new law. 
The law classifies a child as a person who has not reached the “Sharia age of puberty,” and those under the age of 18 as adolescents who have reached the Sharia age of puberty.
Under the Civil Code of 2007, marriage Sharia age of puberty is prohibited. However, the Sharia age of puberty in Iran is nine years for girls and 15lunar years for boys.