Iraq's Supreme Court Upholds Controversial Family Laws Amid Political Claims

Iraq's Federal Supreme Court has dismissed legal challenges against three controversial laws passed by parliament, including amendments to the Personal Status Law that critics argue threaten women's rights, a General Amnesty Law, and a Property Restitution Law aimed at returning land confiscated under Saddam Hussein. The court's ruling came after complaints regarding the legality of the voting process, as lawmakers alleged irregularities and lack of transparency during the parliamentary session when the laws were approved. Despite opposition claims that the ruling was politically motivated, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani celebrated the passage of the amnesty law, asserting it would benefit 'innocent prisoners.' The ruling is final and cannot be appealed, leading to immediate implementation of the amended General Amnesty Law in several provinces. However, some lawmakers, including Raed Al-Maliki, have indicated that objections to specific provisions of the laws may still lead to future legal challenges. The situation remains tense, with varying reactions from different political factions regarding the implications of these laws.