Iraq passes shocking amendments allowing child marriage from age nine, sparking international human rights criticism and deep concerns about women's and children's protection.

Iraq's parliament has passed a controversial set of amendments to its civil status law, effectively legalising child marriage for girls as young as nine. The new legislation allows unregistered marriages to be formalised,

For Shia Muslims, who make up a majority in the country, the lowest age of marriage for girls will be nine years old, while for the Sunnis, the official age will be 15.

Iraq witnessed a massive uproar after news broke out that the Parliament had passed a law that sought to lower minimum age for Muslim girls to marry to as young as nine-year-old.

A storm of reactions has erupted from lawmakers and organizations in Iraq following the passage of a law that allows child marriages from the age of nine. Activists have strongly criticized the law, stating that it amounts to the “legalization of child rape.”

Iraq's parliament passed three divisive laws Tuesday, including amendments to the country's personal status law that opponents say would in effect legalize child marriage.