Women's rights in Iran and Saudi Arabia with regard to marriage and divorce

Abstract EN

WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN IRAN AND SAUDI ARABIAWITH REGARD TO MARRIAGE AND DIVORCEMONA MOUSA ALOTAIBI This paper will discuss women's rights as they pertain to marriage and divorce in present-day Iran and in Saudi Arabia.

Part II is an overview of several international treaties governing human rights and women's rights in particular.

Through the generally-accepted concept of “customary international law, ” these treaties may apply to countries, even if they are not parties or signatories to the treaties.

Part III will examine the principleslaid down in the Koran relating to marriage anddivorce, and Part IV discusses the interpretation of the Koran by the governing clerics in Iran as evidenced by the Iranian Civil Code, and how these interpretations are applied.

Contemporary Iranian literature and films will help shed light on current practices in Iran.

Key words: women's rights, marriage, divorce, human rights, treaties.