SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court dismissed an appeal challenging three controversial laws, allowing their immediate implementation. The laws in question — the Kurdish Restitution Law, the Shiite Personal Status Law, and the Sunni-backed General Amnesty Law — were approved by the Iraqi Parliament on January 21.
On February 4, the Court temporarily suspended the implementation of these laws following an appeal from lawmakers questioning the legitimacy of the voting process. However, on Tuesday, the head of the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court, Jassem Mohammed Abboud, lifted the suspension and dismissed the appeal, clearing the way for the laws to be enacted.
Following the Court’s decision, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani welcomed the enforcement of the General Amnesty Law, stating that its implementation provides an opportunity for a free life and stability in Iraq.
Iraqi Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah also praised the dismissal of the appeal against the Kurdish Property and Land Restitution Law, calling it a vital step in restoring rightful ownership. He congratulated the people of Kirkuk and other disputed areas between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region for this achievement as the ownership of the farmlands will be returned to the Kurdish and Turkmen farmers.
The Iraqi Parliament’s approval of these laws on January 21 marked the end of years of delays in passing them, as the laws seek to address Shiite personal status issues, amnesty for certain Sunni prisoners believed to be imprisoned unjustly in the past, and the restitution of properties and land to Kurdish and Turkmen owners in Kirkuk.