Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Friday, September 05, 2008

Strange allies

In Iranian politics, there are sometimes unexpected allies. Sounds like politics in other systems.

Iranian Parliament Delays Vote on Bill That Upset Judiciary, Women's Activists

"Iran's parliament has indefinitely delayed a vote on proposed changes to the country's civil law that had angered an unusual coalition of women's rights activists and Iran's judiciary. The opponents, more accustomed to disagreeing with each other than finding common cause, shared concerns that the legislation would promote polygamy and undermine women's financial independence.

"The assembly decided Sunday to send the bill back to its legal committee for more work, a decision that analysts said would result in the removal of changes made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's cabinet.

"Ali Reza Jamshidi [left], spokesman for Iran's judiciary, explained Tuesday that the organization disagreed with the cabinet's positions on polygamy and the taxing of 'bridal treasures'...

"Iran's judiciary not only oversees prosecution and judgment; it also drafts legislation so that it conforms with Islamic law...

"Women's rights activist... found an unexpected ally when they began objecting to the bill after the cabinet revised it this year...

"Much protest focused on what was seen as the promotion of polygamy in the version revised by the cabinet...

"Even though Iran is a Muslim nation and Islam permits polygamy, it is highly uncommon for Iranian men to have more than one wife at a time..."

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