ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal challenging the validity of the voting procedures for the general amnesty, land restitution, and personal status laws, which are crucial demands by Kurds, Shiites, and Sunnis. The Iraqi parliament had passed amendments to the general amnesty and personal status laws, as well as a bill proposed by the federal government aimed at returning land confiscated under the Baath regime to its original owners, following months of discussions. However, the federal court last week temporarily suspended the implementation of the three laws after an appeal was filed by several lawmakers who challenged the validity of the voting procedures. The court convened on Tuesday again and dismissed the appeal, effectively resuming the implementation of the laws. The temporary suspension of the implementation of the three laws had drawn the ire of many, especially Sunnis, who were hoping that the amendment to the definition of affiliation with terrorist organizations in the general amnesty law would lead to the release of many Sunnis they believe were unjustly jailed in the past. The land restitution law, supported by Kurds, aims to return properties to their original Kurdish and Turkmen owners. These lands were taken from them and given to Arab settlers by the Baathist Revolutionary Command Council decades ago. The 1959 personal status law governs marriage, divorce, and inheritance. It has sparked significant opposition, with critics arguing that the bill could pave the way for child marriage and weaken protections for women. Updated at 5:52 pm
