Latest news with #FederalSupremeCourt
Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's top court rejects lawsuits challenging halabja province and maritime decisions
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed four high-profile lawsuits, including challenges to the formal establishment of Halabja as a province and to a government decision regarding the country's maritime boundaries. Halabja Lawsuits Dismissed Two of the lawsuits challenged the legal basis for Iraq's 2025 recognition of Halabja as the country's nineteenth province. One case, filed by five lawmakers—including members of the parliamentary legal committee—alleged that the April 14 vote in Parliament to approve Halabja's status lacked a constitutional quorum. The court rejected the claim, affirming that the legislative procedures met constitutional requirements. Under Article 59 of Iraq's Constitution, a parliamentary session is valid if an absolute majority of lawmakers is present. A separate case, filed by MP Amir al-Mamouri, contested Presidential Decree No. 19, issued on April 29, 2025, which formally established Halabja as a province following parliamentary approval. This challenge was also rejected. Halabja, long the subject of local demands for administrative autonomy, gained symbolic importance after the 1988 chemical attack that killed thousands of civilians. The court's decisions now legally consolidate Halabja's provincial status within Iraq's federal framework. Court Upholds Government's Maritime Map The court also ruled against two separate lawsuits filed by MPs Saud al-Saadi and Amir al-Mamouri that sought to annul Cabinet Decision No. 266 of 2025, which approved Iraq's updated maritime map for submission to the United Nations. The plaintiffs argued the decision threatened Iraqi sovereignty, and one of the lawsuits requested a temporary injunction ('wilaya order') to suspend the implementation. The court declined to issue the injunction, finding no sufficient legal basis to halt the government's move. Maritime border demarcation is a sensitive issue for Iraq, which has only a limited coastline along the Persian Gulf. The maps in question define Iraq's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, with implications for navigation rights, resource exploration, and regional diplomacy.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's top court rejects lawsuits against Kurdish parliament
Also in Iraq PM Sudani welcomes new commander of anti-ISIS coalition Iraq cannot control militias attacking Kurdistan Region, says MP Iraq records 16 new cases of Crimean-Congo fever Iraqi parliament to convene on Kurdistan Region drone attacks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Federal Supreme Court on Monday dismissed two lawsuits seeking the dissolution of the Kurdistan Region's parliament, ruling that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction. 'Both lawsuits were rejected by the Federal Supreme Court on the grounds that the issue is not within the jurisdiction of the court,' Omar Gulpi, one of the plaintiffs and a member of the opposition Kurdistan Justice Group (Komal), told Rudaw on Monday. His lawsuit was filed with the federal court against the Kurdistan parliament, calling for the annulment of the 2024 regional election results over its failure to convene. A similar lawsuit was filed by the head of the New Generation Movement's (NGM) bloc in the Iraqi parliament, Srwa Abdulwahid, and two other members of the party, calling for the dissolution of the Kurdish legislature. The NGM is the strongest opposition party in the Kurdistan Region. Komal leader Ali Bapir in June criticized the current Kurdish parliament as lacking legitimacy due to alleged electoral fraud. Despite this, he told Rudaw that convening it to form a new government would still serve the public interest. The Kurdistan Region held delayed parliamentary elections in October 2024, two years after the original date. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 39 out of 100 seats, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23. As no party achieved a majority, a governing coalition is required, as has been customary. Amid the impasse, lawmakers in the Kurdish parliament - who are seemingly awaiting the outcome of the government formation talks between the KDP and the PUK - have convened only once in December, without electing a speaker or deputies. The session ended with no significant decisions and was adjourned indefinitely. Hastyar Qadir and Nahro Mohammed contributed to this report.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi top court to hear complaints against KRG-US energy deals
Also in Iraq Iraq parliament to probe drone attacks on Kurdistan Region Duhok crowned Iraq Cup champions Iraq launches security operation after drone attacks UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Federal Supreme Court is set to convene on Sunday to hear complaints about several items pertaining to the Kurdistan Region, including major oil and gas deals signed in May between US firms and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that drew the ire of Baghdad. The complaints, submitted separately by two Arab lawmakers in Iraq's legislature, were filed against Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Kamal Mohammed, the KRG's acting natural resources minister, according to the top court's official schedule. The complainants described the contracts as 'improper' and 'unconstitutional,' urging the 'immediate suspension of contract implementation procedures until the case is resolved,' the top court said. American firms HKN Energy and WesternZagros signed two major oil and gas deals in May worth $110 billion over their lifespans in the Kurdistan Region. The deals were signed during Prime Minister Barzani's visit to the US. The deals – while welcomed by Erbil and Washington – prompted a lawsuit from the federal oil ministry, which claimed the contracts violated federal court rulings and the Iraqi constitution. The KRG defended the agreements as extensions of existing contracts that benefit all of Iraq. The complainants further demanded that the Kurdistan Region be prohibited from signing any oil and gas contracts without the consent of the federal government, according to the top court. The deals align with the KRG's Runaki initiative - meaning 'light' in Kurdish - which aims to provide 24-hour electricity across the Region by the end of 2026. The program has already been launched in several cities and neighborhoods. A third complaint against the Runaki initiative, submitted by the head of the New Generation Movement's bloc in the Iraqi parliament Srwa Abdulwahid, against Prime Minister Barzani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, is also set to be heard. It calls for the initiative to be revoked. Earlier in July, the KRG announced that two million people across the Kurdistan Region are receiving round-the-clock electricity through the Runaki project. Nahro Mohammed contributed to this report.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Brazil's Lula Slams US Visa Restrictions as 'Arbitrary'
Taarek Refaat Brazilian President Lula da Silva issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday against the United States for imposing visa restrictions on Brazilian officials, describing the move as "arbitrary" and "baseless." In a strongly worded statement, Lula denounced the measures as a breach of international norms and an affront to national sovereignty. 'I am confident that no form of intimidation or threat, from anyone, will deter the most important mission of our authorities and institutions: the unwavering defense and preservation of the rule of democratic law,' Lula declared in a public address. The U.S. State Department had recently announced visa sanctions targeting Brazilian officials allegedly linked to anti-democratic actions, particularly concerning investigations into the January 8, 2023 storming of government buildings by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move has sparked controversy in Brasília and prompted a forceful response from the current administration. Lula expressed explicit solidarity with Brazil's Federal Supreme Court (STF) justices, several of whom were reportedly affected by the U.S. decision. 'I express my support and solidarity with the justices of the Federal Supreme Court, who have been targeted by yet another arbitrary and entirely unfounded action by the United States government,' he stated in a post on social media platform X. The Brazilian president also rejected what he sees as foreign interference in domestic judicial processes. 'The intervention of one state in the judicial system of another is unacceptable and violates the core principles of respect and sovereignty among nations,' Lula said. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Lula slams US sanctions on Brazilian judges in Bolsonaro case
BRASILIA: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday denounced US visa sanctions on judges in the coup case against former leader Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing ally of Donald Trump. "My solidarity and support go to the justices of the Supreme Federal Court, who have been affected by yet another arbitrary and completely baseless measure by the United States government," Lula said in a statement posted on X. "The interference of one country in another's justice system is unacceptable and violates the basic principles of respect and sovereignty between nations." Bolsonaro is on trial for allegedly seeking to stay in power by overturning the 2022 election won by Lula. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes ruled Friday that Bolsonaro must wear an electronic monitoring device, stay home at night and stay off social media as he awaits a verdict. Hours later the United States revoked the visa for Moraes and his "allies" on the court, as well as their immediate family members. "Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes's political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro created a persecution and censorship complex so sweeping that it not only violates basic rights of Brazilians, but also extends beyond Brazil's shores to target Americans," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. Moraes, one of the judges in Bolsonaro's trial for allegedly seeking to nullify Lula's election victory, said the restrictions were necessary given the "hostile acts" against Brazil by the accused and his son and former politician Eduardo Bolsonaro. He said in a ruling Saturday that Eduardo Bolsonaro "intensified the illicit conduct... through various posts and attacks on the Federal Supreme Court on social media" in reaction to Friday's ruling. Moraes cited a Facebook post in which the younger Bolsonaro called the judge "a gangster in robes." Both Trump and Bolsonaro have claimed to be victims of political persecution, and the former frequently verbally attacks judges at home over their rulings. - AFP
