Allawi attacks the “Civil Status and Amnesty” laws and criticizes the passage of laws in a “single basket”
The Secretary-General of the National Accord Party, Iyad Allawi, criticized on Wednesday the passing of laws by the Iraqi parliament in “one basket”, while he objected to the laws amending the Personal Status Law and the General Amnesty, describing them as “a blow to the aspirations of the people.”
Allawi said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “In light of the accumulated crises and serious challenges facing our dear country, where unemployment is destroying the hopes of our youth, and corruption and drugs are rampant, destroying the fabric of our society, we stand today before decisions that are passed in a suspicious manner and threaten the future of the Iraqi family and the unity of society.”
He added that “passing the Personal Status Law in the manner in which it was done, and in the absence of transparency, comprehensive community dialogue and national reconciliation, means trading in the rights of the family, women and children and constitutes a direct threat to them.”
He stressed that “proposing laws in a single basket manner is not only a political deal, but rather a step towards dismantling what remains of our society’s ties, and reflects a miserable political approach based on quotas, sectarianism and extremism instead of civility and dialogue.”
Regarding the general amnesty law, Allawi explained, “Despite the presence of some positives in the law, such as supporting the oppressed and providing them with justice, there are controversial issues related to the corrupt and thieves, as it is not possible to justify amnesty for them in light of the crimes they committed against the homeland and the people, and despite this, many of them are free and at large and enjoy the people’s wealth, so where is justice?”
He explained that “this law represents another blow to the aspirations of the Iraqi people for justice. How can crimes as great as stealing people’s money and committing financial and administrative corruption be pardoned? How can thieves and corruptors be honored instead of being held accountable?”
He continued, “The strangest thing is that voting on these laws was not done through the usual methods, such as raising hands, counting votes, or ensuring the presence of a majority. This is a legal violation, as if the goal was to pass the laws by any means, without allowing room for discussion or objection, which raises doubts about the true intentions behind this step and confirms the extent of the manipulation practiced by some political parties in the council.”
Allawi promised that what happened “is a reflection of a political approach that places partisan and factional interests above the interests of the nation and the citizen, an approach that destroys civility and deepens divisions instead of treating them,” adding, “We need a serious national stance, far from the language of deals and compromises, to place the interests of Iraq and its people above all considerations.”
Yesterday, Tuesday, the Iraqi Parliament voted on the controversial laws in one basket, which are returning properties to their owners in Kirkuk, amending the Personal Status Law, and amending the General Amnesty Law.
Shafaq.com