Iraqi MP: Supreme Court reject legal challenges 'under political pressure'
The member of the parliamentary legal committee, Raed Al-Maliki, told Shafaq News that they respect the court's decision to dismiss the legal challenges filed against the controversial laws (the General Amnesty Law, Personal Status Law, and Property Restitution Law), and the lawsuits rejection was expected.
'The ruling was driven by political considerations rather than legal grounds, with the court prioritizing the current situation over legal principles. Even the Federal Court itself is not convinced by the ruling," he claimed.
Al-Maliki affirmed that they were satisfied with their objections, which were raised both during parliamentary sessions and the voting process, as well as in court, explaining that 'these objections were not aimed at blocking legislation but rather at correcting certain flaws in the provisions included in the laws.'
'Unfortunately, some of these provisions encourage corruption and allow criminals and terrorists to evade justice,' he warned.
Regarding further legal challenges, he argued that some articles of the law are unconstitutional, 'which gives any individual or lawmaker the right to file new appeals against specific provisions of the law.'
On the Personal Status Law, the Iraqi MP stated that the presidency will ratify it, followed by the restitution of properties, before its publication in the official gazette.
Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, congratulated what he described as 'innocent prisoners and those awaiting their release,' emphasizing that parliamentary efforts to secure political consensus for passing the General Amnesty Law had succeeded.
Earlier today, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court annulled its previous ruling that had suspended the implementation of three laws. However, the court also reiterated that no laws may be enacted in violation of the constitution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
41 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Rubio tells Sudani important to pay KRG salaries 'consistently'
Also in World Brawl breaks out between pro-Damascus, Kurdish rallies in Germany's Dusseldorf US encourages Iraq to end tensions with Kurdistan Region US orders return of Baghdad embassy, Erbil consulate staff US says attacks on Kurdistan Region 'unacceptable' A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, emphasizing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted salary payments to civil servants in the Kurdistan Region. Rubio also conveyed Washington's concerns regarding a pending bill in the Iraqi parliament that seeks to further institutionalize pro-Iranian militia groups, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday. The phone call came just hours after the Iraqi government decided to resume the payment of the salaries of public employees in the Kurdistan Region after nearly three months of suspension due to financial disputes with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 'The Secretary noted the importance of paying Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) salaries consistently,' read a statement from State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Sudani's office has yet to comment on the phone call. Tensions between Baghdad and Erbil escalated in late May when the federal finance ministry suspended transfers, accusing the KRG of exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the federal budget and failing to deliver the agreed oil volumes to Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The freeze affected more than 1.2 million public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region. Last week, the federal and regional governments reached a new deal over financial and oil disputes following the failure of several similar deals in the past. The Iraqi government approved the agreement during a cabinet meeting and decided to resume the disbursement of the salaries of KRG's civil servants on Tuesday. The payment will only cover the month of May, and the disbursement of salaries for the remaining months will depend on how the agreement is implemented moving forward. The Erbil-Baghdad agreement also includes the resumption of KRG's oil exports. The process has been halted since March 2023 when a Paris-based arbitration court ruled in favor of Baghdad against Ankara, saying the latter had violated the 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing Erbil to begin exporting oil independently in 2014. Under the agreement, the KRG must export its entire oil output through Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), keeping 50,000 barrels daily for local use. In return, Baghdad is expected to make budget transfers and provide refined fuel if needed. The KRG is also obligated to hand over 120 billion Iraqi dinars (nearly $92 million) in non-oil revenues monthly for May. Washington has been pressuring Erbil and Baghdad to resume the Kurdish oil exports. Rubio told Sudani during the phone call that it is also important to resume the flow of the Kurdish oil to international markets through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline, Bruce said in the statement. Kurdistan Region has come under nearly 20 drone attacks, including strikes on its oil fields, in recent weeks. The KRG has blamed Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) for the drone attacks, a charge Baghdad has denied. The drones were seen by many as a pressure tactic by pro-Iran groups on the Kurdish government to make compromises to the federal government during negotiations over the resumption of the KRG's oil exports. The attacks have stopped since both governments finalized the agreement on Thursday. The Rubio-Sudani phone call focused on the drone attacks. Some of the targeted sites are operated by US companies. Rubio 'stressed the importance of the Iraqi government holding the perpetrators accountable and preventing future attacks,' Bruce noted in her statement. The attacks have been condemned internationally and locally, including by the US, UK and UN. The Iraqi government has launched an investigation into the strikes but has yet to announce the results. The federal parliament failed to discuss the matter on Monday after Kurdish lawmakers boycotted the session for unknown reasons. Rudaw has learned that some Kurdish parliamentarians feared that the Shiite factions could exploit the session to add a pending bill seeking more rights for the PMF members. The PMF was established in 2014 during the Islamic State group (ISIS) blitz, which saw the group seize control of large parts of Iraq's north and west. Although the PMF has been integrated into the security apparatus, the inclusion of some pro-Iran groups and their failure to answer to Sudani as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces has concerned Washington. The Iraqi government in February sent a bill to the parliament to further institutionalise the PMF, including retirement rights. 'The Secretary also reiterated serious U.S. concerns with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty,' Bruce said. Rubio later said on X that he told Sudani that he desires to see an Iraq 'free of Iran's pernicious influence." Spoke with Iraqi PM Sudani about the recent attacks against oil companies in Iraq, including U.S. companies. We support a prosperous Iraq, free of Iran's pernicious influence. — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 23, 2025 Iran is believed to have many proxy groups in Iraq, which it has used in the past to target US interests in the region. Washington has taken several measures to ensure that Baghdad is free of Tehran's influence, including the termination of a waiver which had allowed Iraq to buy Iranian electricity for years.
Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
US says attacks on Kurdistan Region ‘unacceptable'
Also in World Rubio tells Sudani important to pay KRG salaries 'consistently' Brawl breaks out between pro-Damascus, Kurdish rallies in Germany's Dusseldorf US encourages Iraq to end tensions with Kurdistan Region US orders return of Baghdad embassy, Erbil consulate staff WASHINGTON DC - The United States warned on Wednesday that attacks on Kurdistan Region are 'unacceptable' amid increasing drone assaults on the Region's oil fields, including those operated by American companies. 'These kinds of attacks in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are unacceptable. We've expressed our dismay and our problem with them,' US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Rudaw during a press briefing. Several oil fields in the Kurdistan Region have been struck with explosive-laden drones in the last three days. At least four drone attacks were reported in Duhok province on Wednesday. Kurdistan Region's natural resources ministry said the recent attacks on Kurdistan Region's oil sector has caused a "significant material loss." It condemned the attacks and reiterated its call on the federal government to take action to stop these attacks. Aziz Ahmad, Deputy Chief of Staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said on X late Wednesday that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production 'after a spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' He added that five oil fields, including two operated by US companies, have been struck so far. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) 'welcomed U.S. investment and companies. Now, those same investors are being pushed out in a calculated campaign to economically strangle us,' Ahmad noted, blaming Washington for denying the KRG the necessary tools to defend its energy and civilian infrastructure. 'We need them now to help us defend ourselves — we know exactly who's behind these attacks and where they're coming from.' Drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region have increased since the outbreak of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. While no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, the Region's interior ministry in early July accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.' Erbil-Baghdad financial dispute The Iraqi government has not paid the KRG's share from the federal budget since May due to financial disputes between both governments. Despite ongoing talks between both sides, they have yet to reach a final agreement. The KRG's Council of Ministers on Wednesday convened and announced that it has reached a new "understanding" with Baghdad aimed at resolving the ongoing budget dispute that has left more than 1.2 million public employees in the Kurdistan Region without salaries for over two months. 'We have been vocal regarding actions that have happened with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, we've made it clear that we expect Iraq to withdraw certain dynamics that they apply to the Kurds when it comes to issues of salaries and oil distribution, etcetera,' Bruce told Rudaw during the Wednesday press briefing.
Rudaw Net
an hour ago
- Rudaw Net
US orders return of Baghdad embassy, Erbil consulate staff
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Thursday announced the return of its embassy staff in Baghdad and consulate in Erbil, following their ordered departure amid last month's tensions between Israel and Iran. However, Washington continues to advise its citizens against traveling to Iraq, according to a State Department spokesperson. "Starting today, Secretary [Marco] Rubio decided to end the ordered departure status for the US mission Iraq, personnel, including personnel at the US Embassy Baghdad and us, Consulate General Erbil," US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing. "Personnel who are temporarily relocated outside of Iraq will begin a gradual return to US Embassy Baghdad and Consulate General Erbil. The State Department's travel advisory for Iraq remains at a level four, which, of course, translates to do not travel," she added. Following the US decision to withdraw staff from Iraq, Israel launched war on Iran which lasted for 12 days. Despite US indirect support for Israel during the first days of the conflict, US missions in the region were not targeted. However, Iran struck US troops in Qatar after Washington hit Iranian nuclear sites. "We remain strongly committed to advancing our policy priorities in Iraq, strengthening Iraq's sovereignty, advancing US business interests and engaging with Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people," Bruce noted.
