Iraqi Parliament Passes Controversial Amnesty Law
The Iraqi parliament has enacted an amnesty law that could potentially release thousands of prisoners, including those convicted of attacks on U.S. soldiers and individuals associated with the ISIS, Arab News reported. Lawmakers confirmed that the law allows prisoners to request retrials if they claim their confessions were coerced.
The legislation has been primarily championed by Sunni blocs in parliament, as many of the incarcerated individuals are Sunni Muslims convicted of terrorism-related charges from 2004 to 2018. Sunni lawmakers estimate that at least 30,000 prisoners could seek retrials under the new law. Additionally, around 700 Shiite militia members, previously convicted for attacks on U.S. forces, may also benefit.
Abul Karim Al-Mohammedawi, head of the parliament’s security committee, emphasized the need to release those who fought against American forces, labeling them as “heroes.” However, Sunni lawmaker Raad Al-Dahlaki noted that the law does not guarantee immediate releases, as courts will ultimately decide the outcomes.
The amnesty law aims to alleviate overcrowding in prisons, which currently hold about 67,000 inmates, exceeding their capacity of 25,000. Alongside this, parliament passed an amendment allowing Iraqi Muslims to choose between Sunni or Shiite sharia laws for personal status matters.
