Violation of the rights of the child and the view of Iraqi laws and legislations in force

Abstract

This research deals with the phenomenon of child labor in Iraq from its various legal, social and economic aspects, based on the definition of the child according to international conventions and Iraqi legislation, and determining the concept of “child labor” as a clear violation of childhood rights. The research also reviews the reality of the spread of this phenomenon in Iraq, where studies indicate that more than one million Iraqi children are working in inappropriate conditions, amid the absence of accurate official data and a lack of control efforts.
The underlying causes of the phenomenon were analyzed, which include poverty, family disintegration, weak education system, and political fragility left by wars and conflicts. The research details the effects of child labour that affect physical and mental health, reflect negatively on social security and increase the likelihood of deviation and crime.
The research also reviews relevant Iraqi legislation, such as the Constitution, the Labor Law, the Penal Code, and Iraq’s position on international conventions, and shows the practical gaps that hinder the actual application of these laws despite the clarity of their provisions.
The research concludes with a critical vision of the proposed solutions, stressing that sporadic or legal measures alone are not sufficient unless they are integrated with long-term strategies to address the roots of poverty, improve education, and strengthen the role of the state in social welfare.