Al Nahda Women call for the adoption of the civil family law to ensure justice amongst all citizens

Al Nahda Women Gathering convened a seminar yesterday on “the civil marriage contract in personal status laws” with the participation of the president of the Gathering as well as the member of the committee entrusted with the preparation of a civil family law within the Bar Association, lawyer Iqbal Dughan.  The event was attended by a large number of heads of women organizations, representatives of women sectors in political parties, and a number of people interested and active in the social and human rights sector. Mona Fares, the president of the Gathering noted that the issue of the civil family code is relevant to all current issues namely rampant confessionalism and problems of acceptance of other citizens.  The issue of civil family laws are also related to the practice of daily living that is not well known to citizens especially in relation to inheritance and custody rights.  Fares noted that the National Social Syrian Party had already submitted a proposal for a civil code to the Parliament back in 1997.  She stressed that the party will continue its struggle for the endorsement of this law as this will build citizens that have a national belonging rather than an allegiance to a confession.
For her part, Iqbal Doughan spoke about the current civil codes which adopt different religious precepts.  She added that religious courts cannot continue replacing civil courts in matter related to family law such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and custody thus the need for change.  She reiterated the importance of organizing family laws around a civil basis as the only way to resolve problems; mainstream the justice system and ensure justice amongst all citizens.

(Source: Al Diyyar 12 November, 2014)