Will Iraq recover Billions in 'Vanished Assets' Abroad?
Will Iraq recover billions in 'vanished assets' abroad?
The Iraqi parliament's foreign relations committee in June launched an ambitious initiative to reclaim billions of dollars in state assets believed to be scattered across Africa, Asia and Europe.
The move came only weeks after a stunning revelation at the Arab League summit in Baghdad: Somalia's president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, informed his hosts that an Iraqi-built oil refinery outside Mogadishu-forgotten for decades-was still intact.
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Rudaw Net
3 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Lawmaker rejects US intervention in PMF bill
Also in Iraq Hezbollah censures Iraqi PM over deadly Baghdad clashes Iraq's reputation at 'risk' if PMF law passes: Former US diplomat Iraqi vows reconstruction, accountability 11 years after Yazidi genocide NGOs call for renewed focus on Yazidi justice on genocide's 11th anniversary A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A bill aimed at further legitimizing pro-Iran armed factions has sparked controversy in Iraq. While the United States has voiced opposition to the move, a lawmaker affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, has rejected Washington's interference. "We reject American interventions, especially regarding the issuance of laws that protect our security institutions. We believe that issuing the PMF law means transferring this force to institutional work... We insist on passing this bill and call on all political forces to cooperate as a gesture of loyalty to the martyrs' blood,' Falih al-Khazali, an Iraqi lawmaker and a PMF leader, told Rudaw on Monday. Washington has expressed increasing caution about the bill that aims to regulate the PMF's structure, salaries, and retirement benefits, a politically sensitive issue given the PMF's central role in Iraq's security framework and the political influence it wields. 'Pursuing this law can put Iraq's reputation at risk both regionally and internationally,' Vincent Campos, former public diplomacy officer at the US State Department, told Rudaw on Monday. 'This law represents everything that is wrong with Iranian influence in Iraq, and everything wrong with having, essentially, an independent militia doing whatever they want.' In response to an email from Rudaw, a State Department spokesperson on Sunday asserted Washington's staunch opposition to the law, labeling it a 'deeply unhelpful step' and explaining that its passage would empower pro-Iran militias in Iraq that have attacked US forces. Jamal Kochar, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament, told Rudaw on Monday that the bill seeks more legitimacy for armed factions operating outside the state control. "The US has made clear and explicit threats against passing this bill. This [bill] would grant legitimacy to groups outside the state and allocate a massive budget to them. There are several places in Iraq that even the Prime Minister [Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani] cannot visit, like Jurf al-Sakhar [near Baghdad]... Therefore, in our view, this matter is very sensitive, and the first to be harmed will be Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds,' he warned. Steven Fagin, charge d'affaires of the US embassy in Baghdad, met with the Iraqi parliament's First Deputy Speaker Muhsin al-Mandalawi on Sunday, where he 'reiterated U.S. concerns with two proposed PMC/PMF bills,' the embassy said on X. Mandalawi's office did not mention the PMF bill in its own statement, which broadly discussed bilateral cooperation and regional security. The PMF is composed of various armed factions, including groups designated as terrorist organizations by the US. Among them is Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), whose leader Qais al-Khazali is a senior member of the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, a key component of Iraq's governing coalition. In March, AAH and the State of Law Coalition boycotted a parliamentary session after the PMF bill was excluded from the agenda, forcing its postponement. Halkawt Aziz contributed to this article.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's vague Protest Law: A tool for control or a framework for rights?
Shafaq News Iraq's parliament has reignited fierce public and political debate after reactivating a contentious draft law regulating peaceful protest and public assembly. The reintroduction of the proposal—formerly stalled since 2023—comes amid mounting pressure to finalize long-delayed legislation before the end of the current parliamentary session. While some lawmakers argue the draft law is essential for formalizing protest rights, critics warn that its vague language and selective revisions threaten to legitimize repression under the guise of regulation. A Narrower Scope, New Definitions Originally titled the Law on Freedom of Expression, Assembly, and Peaceful Demonstration, the current draft removes all references to "freedom of expression" and the "right to knowledge" from both its title and internal articles. Legal experts view this as a deliberate narrowing of the law's scope, excluding speech and media protections that were once central to the bill. The draft also introduces several legal definitions that were previously absent from Iraqi law—such as sit-ins, spontaneous gatherings, and strikes—granting these protest forms a degree of formal recognition. Notably, organizers are no longer required to obtain prior approval to hold a demonstration. Instead, they must notify the local administrative authority 48 hours in advance, providing details on the gathering's topic, location, timing, and names of up to three responsible individuals. Yet while this marks a procedural easing, the law still grants authorities broad discretion to object to or relocate protests for "security" or "organizational" reasons, leaving civil society groups skeptical about how these terms might be applied in practice. Prohibitions, Guarantees, and Grey Areas The revised draft prohibits demonstrators from carrying weapons—even if licensed—or bringing dangerous materials. It also bans wearing face coverings that obscure identity, as well as slogans or signs deemed offensive to 'public order' or 'morals.' These stipulations echo older legislative language that rights groups have long criticized for suppressing dissent and targeting protest movements. On the other hand, the draft offers new protections: it obliges security forces to safeguard peaceful gatherings and limits the use of force to situations where protests turn violent, in line with international standards. It also allows citizens to challenge protest bans before the Court of Appeal, which must rule within 72 hours—a step praised by some legal experts. Additionally, if demonstrators or third parties suffer damages and the perpetrator cannot be identified, the state is responsible for compensation, with the option to seek reimbursement later from the offender. The law also proposes repealing CPA Order No. 19 of 2003, a remnant of US occupation-era legislation governing assembly, and deleting Articles 220 to 222 of the Penal Code, which have historically allowed for the criminalization of protest leaders. For journalists, the draft introduces explicit guarantees allowing them to cover demonstrations freely and seek compensation for physical or material harm. A Struggle Between Liberties and Control Legal advocate Anwar al-Khafaji told Shafaq News that the law exposes an ongoing battle between two political visions: one prioritizing the protection of civil liberties, and another leaning toward increased state control. She cited Amnesty International's earlier warning that the law represents a 'serious setback' and contradicts Iraq's own constitution as well as its obligations under international human rights treaties. While the parliamentary Human Rights Committee claims to have softened some provisions—removing certain criminal penalties—al-Khafaji argued that key clauses remain problematic. These include vague definitions of terms like 'public order,' the ban on face coverings, and the continued restrictions on protest locations and timing. 'Without judicial independence, such ambiguous language can be used to suppress critical voices under the pretext of legality.' The reintroduction of the bill, she said, reflects fears among political elites of renewed mass protests in the lead-up to elections. Legal Objections: At Least 17 Flaws Identified Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi told Shafaq News that the draft contains at least 17 fundamental legal flaws, demanding a comprehensive overhaul. He emphasized that Article 38 of Iraq's constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—rights that the draft, in its current form, undermines. Al-Tamimi raised concerns over the lack of clear definitions for key terms such as 'sit-in,' 'strike,' 'public order,' and 'morality.' He criticized the proposed role of the Human Rights Commission in resolving protest-related disputes, arguing that such responsibilities should lie with the judiciary to uphold the separation of powers. He also highlighted structural problems: -Notification vs. Authorization: Despite a shift toward a notification model, local authorities can still effectively block protests, undermining the supposed liberalization. -Excessive Police Discretion: Allowing the security apparatus to issue procedural guidelines risks politicizing enforcement. Al-Tamimi recommends placing this responsibility with the Council of Ministers. -Protest Timing Restrictions: The law imposes a 10:00 p.m. curfew on all public and private gatherings, including funerals, weddings, and religious events—raising concerns over cultural and social infringement. -Appeal Mechanisms and Oversight: The draft remains unclear on the appeals process and lacks independent oversight of security conduct during protests. -Database Regulation: Although the law mandates the creation of a protest activity database, it fails to address potential misuse or regulation of private sector data collection. Al-Tamimi also called for replacing custodial sentences with monetary fines and enforcing existing laws that prohibit sectarian and hate-based mobilization. Political Motives Behind the Law Political analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi warned that the law's vague terms—particularly "public order" and "morality"—could be weaponized to stifle dissent. He argued that in the hands of dominant political parties, the law could legitimize the banning of protests critical of the government, especially as elections approach. 'The legal language is too broad,' he said. 'Without tighter safeguards, this becomes a tool to silence—not protect—citizens.' Al-Tamimi recommended a full legal rewrite in partnership with civil society groups, ensuring any protest regulation remains aligned with international legal norms and that limitations are necessary and proportionate. Hussein al-Mulla, spokesperson for the Digital Media Center (DMC), offered a more pragmatic view, acknowledging the need for legal regulation of protests but stressed that such laws must carefully balance public security with personal freedoms. 'Governments always view protests as threats,' he told Shafaq News. 'But that's exactly why robust legal safeguards are needed—to reassure both the public and the state.'
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
New roads, old jams: Baghdad struggles to untangle daily gridlock
Shafaq News – Baghdad At 6:15 every morning, Raja al-Dulaimi leaves her home in Baghdad, hoping to reach the Ministry of Electricity before the fingerprint system marks her late. 'What should be a 10-minute drive on Fridays takes over an hour on weekdays,' she told Shafaq News, noting that even a newly built bridge near her neighborhood has failed to ease the gridlock. 'The road still clogs up because it leads to universities, a police station, and a bank.' Her frustration is echoed by many across the capital, where, despite a sweeping infrastructure campaign by the Iraqi government, traffic congestion remains a daily ordeal. Tayba Hadi, a kindergarten teacher, shared a similar experience. 'Traffic only eases outside peak hours, and taxi fares sometimes double in the morning.' However, officials describe the current conditions as a transitional phase toward long-term solutions, considering that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's administration has launched a major development push in coordination with local and international companies, focusing on bridges, tunnels, and large-scale road expansions. Brig. Gen. Ammar Walid, a former senior traffic official, said the completed projects could reduce congestion by up to 30%. He cited improvements in infrastructure, the use of surveillance cameras to enforce traffic laws, ongoing efforts to expand public transport, including the metro and suspended rail, and the staggering of work hours to ease peak-time pressure. Economist Mustafa Akram Hantoush called the results 'impressive,' comparing them to previous administrations that 'wasted billions" on sidewalk repaving. 'For less than 3 trillion dinars ($2.3 billion), the current government is building real infrastructure with visible results,' he told Shafaq News. Still, while some areas have seen improvements, others remain paralyzed by stalled or incomplete projects, Haidar al-Hasnawi, a member of Parliament's Services and Reconstruction Committee, remarked to our agency. 'If the metro is implemented seriously, it could reshape Baghdad's traffic reality.' Several intersections have already seen better flow following the completion of the first round of projects, according to Nabil al-Saffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Municipalities. Phase two is now underway through both the ministry and Baghdad Municipality. Among the most notable developments are six new bridges planned to connect al-Karkh and al-Rusafa: Jadriya Bridge II, Gaza Bridge in al-Zafaraniyah, al-Sarrayfiya II, two spans parallel to the suspended bridge, and Kriat Bridge in al-Kadhimiyah. Baghdad has not added a new Tigris crossing in over 30 years, al-Saffar noted, describing the bridges as a 'vital modernization step.' He also pointed to the Fourth Ring Road as one of the capital's most strategic infrastructure projects. Crews have begun clearing paths, and the road is expected to significantly reduce traffic pressure inside the city once completed. Ongoing evaluations of all projects are being carried out in coordination with the General Traffic Directorate and Baghdad Municipality. With direct support from the Iraqi government, al-Saffar affirmed, the aim remains to deliver real, lasting relief to Baghdad's overburdened roads.
