Iraqi Committee Formed to Review Supreme Court Draft Law
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has established a committee to reassess the draft law of the Federal Supreme Court in an effort to strengthen the judiciary's independence.
Alex Carter
- 2023-12-27
- Updated 09:22 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - In a push for judicial reforms, Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Iraq, has directed the formation of a multi-representative committee to thoroughly review the existing draft law of the Federal Supreme Court. This committee, made up of members from various government bodies including the Presidency, the State Council, and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, aims to address lingering issues and refine the draft both formally and substantively. The draft legislation, initially prepared in 2015, was submitted to Parliament but has been pending approval ever since, signalling the need for a revisited approach to garner legislative consensus.
Intensive Discussions and Objectives
To foster a comprehensive understanding and to ensure that the draft law aligns with the overarching principles of the nation's judiciary, extensive discussions have taken place. These talks have involved key figures such as the President of the Republic, the Chief of the Supreme Judicial Council, and the President of the Federal Supreme Court. The exercises underscore the government's dedication to refining the law to overcome past objections related to certain provisions within the parliamentary drafts. Another focus is to uphold and strengthen the independence of the judiciary, an objective continually emphasized by the governmental policies.
Enhancement of the Federal Supreme Court's Role
Central to the government's initiative is the draft law's alignment with the constitution, which envisages a more empowered Federal Supreme Court. Compared to its current authorities under the modified law No. 30 of 2005, the draft law proposes to significantly broaden the Court's competencies. With the completion of the draft project by the constituted committee, the next step highlighted by the authorities is a comprehensive dialogue with all national political forces. This measure is regarded as crucial to ensure the effective completion of the construction of constitutional institutions and to foster a climate for legislative and judicial progress within the country.
National Inclusivity and Moving Forward
The government's determination to reinvigorate the judicial framework through this draft law is evident, with the intent to deliberate the newly prepared draft with a wide spectrum of political entities. The initiative, confirmed by a media office statement on December 27, 2023, from the Prime Minister's Council, is seen as a stride toward achieving national unity and fortifying the role of the judiciary as an independent and foundational pillar of Iraq's democratic institutions.
