The Constitution Of Iraq

Iraqi Constitution
{We have honored the sons of Adam}
We, the people of Mesopotamia, the homeland of the apostles and prophets,
resting place of the virtuous imams, cradle of civilization, crafters of writing, and
home of numeration. Upon our land the first law made by man was passed, and
the oldest pact of just governance was inscribed, and upon our soil the saints and
companions of the Prophet prayed, philosophers and scientists theorized, and
writers and poets excelled;
Acknowledging God’s right over us, and in fulfillment of the call of our
homeland and citizens, and in a response to the call of our religious and national
leaderships and the determination of our great authorities and of our leaders
and politicians, and in the midst of international support from our friends and
those who love us, marched for the first time in our history towards the ballot
boxes by the millions, men and women, young and old, on the thirtieth of
January 2005, invoking the pains of sectarian oppression inflicted by the
autocratic clique and inspired by the tragedies of Iraq’s martyrs, Shiite and
Sunni, Arabs and Kurds and Turkmen and from all other components of the
people, and recollecting the darkness of the ravage of the holy cities and the
South in the Sha’abaniyya uprising and burnt by the flames of grief of the mass
graves, the marshes, Al-Dujail and others and articulating the sufferings of
racial oppression in the massacres of Halabcha, Barzan, Anfal and the Fayli
Kurds and inspired by the ordeals of the Turkmen in Bashir and the sufferings
of the people of the western region, as is the case in the remaining areas of Iraq
where the people suffered from the liquidation of their leaders, symbols, and
Sheiks and from the displacement of their skilled individuals and from drying
out of its cultural and intellectual wells, so we sought hand in hand and shoulder
to shoulder to create our new Iraq, the Iraq of the future, free from sectarianism,
racism, complex of regional attachment, discrimination, and exclusion.
Accusations of being infidels, and terrorism did not stop us from marching
forward to build a nation of law. Sectarianism and racism have not stopped us
from marching together to strengthen our national unity, following the path of
peaceful transfer of power, adopting the course of just distribution of resources,
and providing equal opportunity for all.
We, the people of Iraq, who have just risen from our stumble, and who are
looking with confidence to the future through a republican, federal, democratic,
pluralistic system, have resolved with the determination of our men, women,
elderly, and youth to respect the rule of law, to establish justice and equality,
to cast aside the politics of aggression, to pay attention to women and their
rights, the elderly and their concerns, and children and their affairs, to spread
the culture of diversity, and to defuse terrorism.
We, the people of Iraq, of all components and across the spectrum, have taken
upon ourselves to decide freely and by choice to unite our future, to take lessons
from yesterday for tomorrow, and to enact this permanent Constitution,through
the values and ideals of the heavenly messages and the findings of science and
man’s civilization.
TO READ MORE PLEASE CLICK HERE
In the name of God, the Most merciful, the
Most compassionate
“We have honored the sons of Adam”
We, the people of Mesopotamia, the
homeland of the apostles and prophets, resting
place of the virtuous imams, cradle of civilization,
crafters of writing, and home of numeration. Upon
our land the first law made by man was passed,
and the oldest pact of just governance was
inscribed, and upon our soil the saints and
companions of the Prophet prayed, philosophers
and scientists theorized, and writers and poets
excelled;
Acknowledging God’s right over us, and in
fulfillment of the call of our homeland and citizens,
and in a response to the call of our religious and
national leaderships and the determination of our
great authorities and of our leaders and politicians,
and in the midst of international support from our
friends and those who love us, marched for the first

time in our history towards the ballot boxes by the
millions, men and women, young and old, on the
thirtieth of January 2005, invoking the pains of
sectarian oppression inflicted by the autocratic
clique and inspired by the tragedies of Iraq’s
martyrs, Shiite and Sunni, Arabs and Kurds and
Turkmen and from all other components of the
people, and recollecting the darkness of the
ravage of the holy cities and the South in the
Sha’abaniyya uprising and burnt by the flames of
grief of the mass graves, the marshes, Al-Dujail
and others and articulating the sufferings of racial
oppression in the massacres of Halabcha, Barzan,
Anfal and the Fayli Kurds and inspired by the
ordeals of the Turkmen in Bashir and the sufferings
of the people of the western region, as is the case
in the remaining areas of Iraq where the people
suffered from the liquidation of their leaders,
symbols, and Sheiks and from the displacement of
their skilled individuals and from drying out of its
cultural and intellectual wells, so we sought hand
in hand and shoulder to shoulder to create our new
Iraq, the Iraq of the future, free from sectarianism,
racism, complex of regional attachment,
discrimination, and exclusion

Accusations of being infidels, and terrorism
did not stop us from marching forward to build a
nation of law. Sectarianism and racism have not
stopped us from marching together to strengthen
our national unity, following the path of peaceful
transfer of power, adopting the course of just
distribution of resources, and providing equal
opportunity for all.
We, the people of Iraq, who have just risen
from our stumble, and who are looking with
confidence to the future through a republican,
federal, democratic, pluralistic system, have
resolved with the determination of our men,
women, elderly, and youth to respect the rule of
law, to establish justice and equality, to cast aside
the politics of aggression, to pay attention to
women and their rights, the elderly and their
concerns, and children and their affairs, to spread
the culture of diversity, and to defuse terrorism.
We, the people of Iraq, of all components
and across the spectrum, have taken upon
ourselves to decide freely and by choice to unite
our future, to take lessons from yesterday for
tomorrow, and to enact this permanent

3
Constitution, through the values and ideals of the
heavenly messages and the findings of science
and man’s civilization. The adherence to this
Constitution preserves for Iraq its free union of
people, of land, and of sovereignty.

Article 1:

The Republic of Iraq is a single federal,
independent and fully sovereign state in which the
system of government is republican,
representative, parliamentary, and democratic, and
this Constitution is a guarantor of the unity of Iraq.
Article 2:
First: Islam is the official religion of the State and is
a foundation source of legislation:
A. No law may be enacted that contradicts
the established provisions of Islam
B. No law may be enacted that contradicts
the principles of democracy.
C. No law may be enacted that contradicts
the rights and basic freedoms stipulated in
this Constitution.

Second: This Constitution guarantees the Islamic
identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and
guarantees the full religious rights to freedom of
religious belief and practice of all individuals such
as Christians, Yazidis, and Mandean Sabeans.
Article 3:
Iraq is a country of multiple nationalities,
religions, and sects. It is a founding and active
member in the Arab League and is committed to its
charter, and it is part of the Islamic world.
Article 4:
First: The Arabic language and the Kurdish
language are the two official languages of Iraq.
The right of Iraqis to educate their children in their
mother tongue, such as Turkmen, Assyrian, and
Armenian shall be guaranteed in government
educational institutions in accordance with
educational guidelines, or in any other language in
private educational institutions.
Second: The scope of the term “official language”

and the means of applying the provisions of this
article shall be defined by a law and shall include:
A. Publication of the Official Gazette, in the
two languages;
B. Speech, conversation, and expression in
official domains, such as the Council of
Representatives, the Council of Ministers,
courts, and official conferences, in either of
the two languages;
C. Recognition and publication of official
documents and correspondence in the two
languages;
D. Opening schools that teach the two
languages, in accordance with the
educational guidelines;
E. Use of both languages in any matter
enjoined by the principle of equality such as
bank notes, passports, and stamps.
Third: The federal and official institutions and
agencies in the Kurdistan region shall use both
languages.
Fourth: The Turkomen language and the Syriac
language are two other official languages in the

administrative units in which they constitute density
of population.
Fifth: Each region or governorate may adopt any
other local language as an additional official
language if the majority of its population so
decides in a general referendum.
Article 5:
The law is sovereign. The people are the
source of authority and legitimacy, which they
shall exercise in a direct, general, secret ballot and
through their constitutional institutions.
Article 6:
Transfer of authority shall be made
peacefully through democratic means as stipulated
in this Constitution.
Article 7:
First: Any entity or program that adopts, incites,
facilitates, glorifies, promotes, or justifies racism or
terrorism or accusations of being an infidel (takfir)
or ethnic cleansing, especially the Saddamist
Ba’ath in Iraq and its symbols, under any name
whatsoever, shall be prohibited. Such entities may

not be part of political pluralism in Iraq. This shall
be regulated by law.
Second: The State shall undertake to combat
terrorism in all its forms, and shall work to protect
its territories from being a base, pathway, or field
for terrorist activities.
Article 8:
Iraq shall observe the principles of good
neighborliness, adhere to the principle of noninterference
in the internal affairs of other states,
seek to settle disputes by peaceful means,
establish relations on the basis of mutual interests
and reciprocity, and respect its international
obligations.
Article 9:
First:
A. The Iraqi armed forces and security
services will be composed of the
components of the Iraqi people with due
consideration given to their balance and
representation without discrimination or

exclusion. They shall be subject to the
control of the civilian authority, shall defend
Iraq, shall not be used as an instrument to
oppress the Iraqi people, shall not interfere
in the political affairs, and shall have no role
in the transfer of authority.
B. The formation of military militias outside
the framework of the armed forces is
prohibited.
C. The Iraqi armed forces and their
personnel, including military personnel
working in the Ministry of Defense or any
subordinate departments or organizations,
may not stand for election to political office,
campaign for candidates, or participate in
other activities prohibited by Ministry of
Defense regulations. This ban includes the
activities of the personnel mentioned above
acting in their personal or professional
capacities, but shall not infringe upon the
right of these personnel to cast their vote in
the elections.
D. The Iraqi National Intelligence Service
shall collect information, assess threats to
national security, and advise the Iraqi
government. This Service shall be under

civilian control, shall be subject to legislative
oversight, and shall operate in accordance
with the law and pursuant to the recognized
principles of human rights.
E. The Iraqi Government shall respect and
implement Iraq’s international obligations
regarding the non-proliferation, nondevelopment,
non-production, and non-use
of nuclear, chemical, and biological
weapons, and shall prohibit associated
equipment, materiel, technologies, and
delivery systems for use in the development,
manufacture, production, and use of such
weapons.
Second: Military service shall be regulated by law.
Article 10:
The holy shrines and religious sites in Iraq
are religious and civilizational entities. The State is
committed to assuring and maintaining their
sanctity, and to guaranteeing the free practice of
rituals in them.
Article 11:
Baghdad is the capital of the Republic of
Iraq.

Article 12:
First: The flag, national anthem, and emblem of
Iraq shall be regulated by law in a way that
symbolizes the components of the Iraqi people.
Second: A law shall regulate honors, official
holidays, religious and national occasions and the
Hijri and Gregorian calendar.
Article 13:
First: This Constitution is the preeminent and
supreme law in Iraq and shall be binding in all
parts of Iraq without exception.
Second: No law that contradicts this Constitution
shall be enacted. Any text in any regional
constitutions or any other legal text that contradicts
this Constitution shall be considered void.

Rights and Freedoms
Chapter One
Rights
ONE: Civil and Political Rights
Article 14:
Iraqis are equal before the law without
discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity,
nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief or
opinion, or economic or social status.
Article 15:
Every individual has the right to enjoy life,
security and liberty. Deprivation or restriction of
these rights is prohibited except in accordance with
the law and based on a decision issued by a
competent judicial authority.

Article 16:
Equal opportunities shall be guaranteed to all
Iraqis, and the state shall ensure that the
necessary measures to achieve this are taken.
Article 17:
First: Every individual shall have the right to
personal privacy so long as it does not contradict
the rights of others and public morals.
Second: The sanctity of the homes shall be
protected. Homes may not be entered, searched,
or violated, except by a judicial decision in
accordance with the law.
Article 18:
First: Iraqi citizenship is a right for every Iraqi and
is the basis of his nationality.
Second: Anyone who is born to an Iraqi father or to
an Iraqi mother shall be considered an Iraqi. This
shall be regulated by law.
Third:
A. An Iraqi citizen by birth may not have his
citizenship withdrawn for any reason. Any

person who had his citizenship withdrawn
shall have the right to demand its
reinstatement. This shall be regulated by a
law.
B. Iraqi citizenship shall be withdrawn from
naturalized citizens in cases regulated by
law.
Fourth: An Iraqi may have multiple citizenships.
Everyone who assumes a senior, security or
sovereign position must abandon any other
acquired citizenship. This shall be regulated by
law.
Fifth: Iraqi citizenship shall not be granted for the
purposes of the policy of population settlement that
disrupts the demographic composition of Iraq.
Sixth: Citizenship provisions shall be regulated by
law. The competent courts shall consider the suits
arising from those provisions.
Article 19:
First: The judiciary is independent and no power is
above the judiciary except the law.
Second: There is no crime or punishment except

by law. The punishment shall only be for an act
that the law considers a crime when perpetrated. A
harsher punishment than the applicable
punishment at the time of the offense may not be
imposed.
Third: Litigation shall be a protected and
guaranteed right for all.
Fourth: The right to a defense shall be sacred and
guaranteed in all phases of investigation and the
trial.
Fifth: The accused is innocent until proven guilty in
a fair legal trial. The accused may not be tried for
the same crime for a second time after acquittal
unless new evidence is produced.
Sixth: Every person shall have the right to be
treated with justice in judicial and administrative
proceedings.
Seventh: The proceedings of a trial are public
unless the court decides to make it secret.
Eighth: Punishment shall be personal.

Ninth: Laws shall not have retroactive effect unless
stipulated otherwise. This exclusion shall not
include laws on taxes and fees.
Tenth: Criminal laws shall not have retroactive
effect, unless it is to the benefit of the accused.
Eleventh: The court shall appoint a lawyer at the
expense of the state for an accused of a felony or
misdemeanor who does not have a defense
lawyer.
Twelfth:
A. Unlawful detention shall be prohibited.
B. Imprisonment or detention shall be
prohibited in places not designed for these
purposes, pursuant to prison laws covering
health and social care, and subject to the
authorities of the State.
Thirteenth: The preliminary investigative
documents shall be submitted to the competent
judge in a period not to exceed twenty-four hours
from the time of the arrest of the accused, which
may be extended only once and for the same
period.

Article 20:
Iraqi citizens, men and women, shall have
the right to participate in public affairs and to enjoy
political rights including the right to vote, elect, and
run for office.
Article 21:
First: No Iraqi shall be surrendered to foreign
entities and authorities.
Second: A law shall regulate the right of political
asylum in Iraq. No political refugee shall be
surrendered to a foreign entity or returned forcibly
to the country from which he fled.
Third: Political asylum shall not be granted to a
person accused of committing international or
terrorist crimes or to any person who inflicted
damage on Iraq.

TWO: Economic, Social
and Cultural Freedoms
Article 22:
First: Work is a right for all Iraqis in a way that
guarantees a dignified life for them.
Second: The law shall regulate the relationship
between employees and employers on economic
bases and while observing the rules of social
justice.
Third: The State shall guarantee the right to form
and join unions and professional associations, and
this shall be regulated by law.
Article 23:
First: Private property is protected. The owner
shall have the right to benefit, exploit and dispose
of private property within the limits of the law.
Second: Expropriation is not permissible except for
the purposes of public benefit in return for just
compensation, and this shall be regulated by law.
Third:
A. Every Iraqi shall have the right to own
property anywhere in Iraq. No others may

possess immovable assets, except as
exempted by law.
B. Ownership of property for the purposes of
demographic change is prohibited.
Article 24:
The State shall guarantee freedom of
movement of Iraqi manpower, goods, and capital
between regions and governorates, and this shall
be regulated by law.
Article 25:
The State shall guarantee the reform of the
Iraqi economy in accordance with modern
economic principles to insure the full investment of
its resources, diversification of its sources, and the
encouragement and development of the private
sector.
Article 26:
The State shall guarantee the
encouragement of investment in the various
sectors, and this shall be regulated by law.

Article 27:
First: Public assets are sacrosanct, and their
protection is the duty of each citizen.
Second: The provisions related to the preservation
of State properties, their management, the
conditions for their disposal, and the limits for
these assets not to be relinquished shall all be
regulated by law.
Article 28:
First: No taxes or fees shall be levied, amended,
collected, or exempted, except by law.
Second: Low income earners shall be exempted
from taxes in a way that guarantees the
preservation of the minimum income required for
living. This shall be regulated by law.
Article 29:
First:
A. The family is the foundation of society; the
State shall preserve it and its religious,
moral, and national values.
B. The State shall guarantee the protection

of motherhood, childhood and old age, shall
care for children and youth, and shall provide
them with the appropriate conditions to
develop their talents and abilities.
Second: Children have the right to upbringing, care
and education from their parents. Parents have
the right to respect and care from their children,
especially in times of need, disability, and old age.
Third: Economic exploitation of children in all of its
forms shall be prohibited, and the State shall take
the necessary measures for their protection.
Fourth: All forms of violence and abuse in the
family, school, and society shall be prohibited.
Article 30:
First: The State shall guarantee to the individual
and the family – especially children and women –
social and health security, the basic requirements
for living a free and decent life, and shall secure for
them suitable income and appropriate housing.
Second: The State shall guarantee social and
health security to Iraqis in cases of old age,

sickness, employment disability, homelessness,
orphanhood, or unemployment, shall work to
protect them from ignorance, fear and poverty, and
shall provide them housing and special programs
of care and rehabilitation, and this shall be
regulated by law.
Article 31:
First: Every citizen has the right to health care. The
State shall maintain public health and provide the
means of prevention and treatment by building
different types of hospitals and health institutions.
Second: Individuals and entities have the right to
build hospitals, clinics, or private health care
centers under the supervision of the State, and this
shall be regulated by law.
Article 32:
The State shall care for the handicapped and
those with special needs, and shall ensure their
rehabilitation in order to reintegrate them into
society, and this shall be regulated by law.

Article 33:
First: Every individual has the right to live in safe
environmental conditions.
Second: The State shall undertake the protection
and preservation of the environment and its
biological diversity.
Article 34:
First: Education is a fundamental factor for the
progress of society and is a right guaranteed by
the state. Primary education is mandatory and the
state guarantees that it shall combat illiteracy.
Second: Free education in all its stages is a right
for all Iraqis.
Third: The State shall encourage scientific
research for peaceful purposes that serve
humanity and shall support excellence, creativity,
invention, and different aspects of ingenuity.
Fourth: Private and public education shall be
guaranteed, and this shall be regulated by law.

Article 35:
The state shall promote cultural activities
and institutions in a manner that befits the
civilizational and cultural history of Iraq, and it shall
seek to support indigenous Iraqi cultural
orientations.
Article 36:
Practicing sports is a right of every Iraqi and
the state shall encourage and care for such
activities and shall provide for their requirements.
Chapter Two
Freedoms
Article 37:
First:
A. The liberty and dignity of man shall be
protected.
B. No person may be kept in custody or
investigated except according to a judicial
decision.
C. All forms of psychological and physical
torture and inhumane treatment are
prohibited. Any confession made under
force, threat, or torture shall not be relied on

and the victim shall have the right to seek
compensation for material and moral
damages incurred in accordance with the
law.
Second: The State shall guarantee protection of
the individual from intellectual, political and
religious coercion.
Third: Forced labor, slavery, slave trade, trafficking
in women or children, and sex trade shall be
prohibited.
Article 38:
The State shall guarantee in a way that does
not violate public order and morality:
First: Freedom of expression using all means.
Second: Freedom of press, printing,
advertisement, media and publication.
Third: Freedom of assembly and peaceful
demonstration, and this shall be regulated by law.
Article 39:
First: The freedom to form and join associations
and political parties shall be guaranteed, and this
shall be regulated by law.

Second: It is not permissible to force any person to
join any party, society, or political entity, or force
him to continue his membership in it.
Article 40:
The freedom of communication and
correspondence, postal, telegraphic, electronic,
and telephonic, shall be guaranteed and may not
be monitored, wiretapped, or disclosed except for
legal and security necessity and by a judicial
decision.
Article 41:
Iraqis are free in their commitment to their
personal status according to their religions, sects,
beliefs, or choices, and this shall be regulated by
law.
Article 42:
Each individual shall have the freedom of
thought, conscience, and belief.
Article 43:
First: The followers of all religions and sects are
free in the:
A. Practice of religious rites, including the
Husseini rituals.

B. Management of religious endowments
(waqf), their affairs, and their religious
institutions, and this shall be regulated by
law.
Second: The State shall guarantee freedom of
worship and the protection of places of worship.
Article 44:
First: Each Iraqi has freedom of movement, travel,
and residence inside and outside Iraq.
Second: No Iraqi may be exiled, displaced, or
deprived from returning to the homeland.
Article 45:
First: The State shall seek to strengthen the role of
civil society institutions, and to support, develop
and preserve their independence in a way that is
consistent with peaceful means to achieve their
legitimate goals, and this shall be regulated by law.
Second: The State shall seek the advancement of
the Iraqi clans and tribes, shall attend to their
affairs in a manner that is consistent with religion
and the law, and shall uphold their noble human

values in a way that contributes to the
development of society. The State shall prohibit
the tribal traditions that are in contradiction with
human rights.
Article 46:
Restricting or limiting the practice of any of
the rights or liberties stipulated in this Constitution
is prohibited, except by a law or on the basis of a
law, and insofar as that limitation or restriction
does not violate the essence of the right or
freedom

Federal Powers
Article 47:
The federal powers shall consist of the
legislative, executive, and judicial powers, and they
shall exercise their competencies and tasks on the
basis of the principle of separation of powers.
Chapter one
The Legislative Power
Article 48:
The federal legislative power shall consist of the
Council of Representatives and the Federation
Council.
ONE: Council of Representatives
Article 49:
First: The Council of Representatives shall consist
of a number of members, at a ratio of one seat per

100,000 Iraqi persons representing the entire Iraqi
people. They shall be elected through a direct
secret general ballot. The representation of all
components of the people shall be upheld in it.
Second: A candidate to the Council of
Representatives must be a fully qualified Iraqi.
Third: A law shall regulate the requirements for the
candidate, the voter, and all that is related to the
elections.
Fourth: The elections law shall aim to achieve a
percentage of representation for women of not less
than one-quarter of the members of the Council of
Representatives.
Fifth: The Council of Representatives shall
promulgate a law dealing with the replacement of
its members on resignation, dismissal, or death.
Sixth: It is not permissible to combine membership
in the Council of Representatives with any work or
other official position.

Article50:
Each member of the Council of
Representatives shall take the following
constitutional oath before the Council prior to
assuming his duties:
“I swear by God Almighty to carry out my
legal duties and responsibilities with devotion and
integrity and preserve the independence and
sovereignty of Iraq, and safeguard the interests of
its people, and ensure the safety of its land, sky,
water, wealth, and federal democratic system, and
I shall endeavor to protect public and private
liberties, the independence of the judiciary, and
pledge to implement legislation faithfully and
neutrally. God is my witness.”
Article 51:
The Council of Representatives shall
establish its bylaws to regulate its work.
Article 52:
First: The Council of Representatives shall decide,
by a two-thirds majority, the authenticity of
membership of its member within thirty days from
the date of filing an objection.

Second: The decision of the Council of
Representatives may be appealed before the
Federal Supreme Court within thirty days from the
date of its issuance.
Article 53:
First: Sessions of the Council of Representatives
shall be public unless, for reasons of necessity, the
Council decides otherwise.
Second: Minutes of the sessions shall be
published by means considered appropriate by the
Council.
Article 54:
The President of the Republic shall call upon
the Council of Representatives to convene by a
presidential decree within fifteen days from the
date of the ratification of the general election
results. Its eldest member shall chair the first
session to elect the speaker of the Council and his
two deputies. This period may not be extended by
more than the aforementioned period.

Article 55:
The Council of Representatives shall elect in
its first session its speaker, then his first deputy
and second deputy, by an absolute majority of the
total number of the Council members by direct
secret ballot.
Article 56:
First: The electoral term of the Council of
Representatives shall be four calendar years,
starting with its first session and ending with the
conclusion of the fourth year.
Second: The new Council of Representatives shall
be elected forty-five days before the conclusion of
the preceding electoral term.
Article 57:
The Council of Representatives shall have
one annual term, with two legislative sessions,
lasting eight months. The bylaws shall define the
method to convene the sessions. The session in
which the general budget is being presented shall
not end until approval of the budget.

Article 58:
First: The President of the Republic, the Prime
Minister, the Speaker of the Council of
Representatives, or fifty members of the Council of
Representatives may call the Council to an
extraordinary session. The session shall be
restricted to the topics that necessitated the call for
the session.
Second: The legislative session of the Council of
Representatives may be extended for no more
than 30 days to complete the tasks that require the
extension, based on a request from the President
of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of
the Council, or fifty members of the Council of
Representatives.
Article 59:
First: The Council of Representatives quorum shall
be achieved by an absolute majority of its
members.
Second: Decisions in the sessions of the Council of
Representatives shall be made by a simple
majority after quorum is achieved, unless
otherwise stipulated.
Article 60:
First: Draft laws shall be presented by the
President of the Republic and the Council of
Ministers.
Second; Proposed laws shall be presented by ten
members of the Council of Representatives or by
one of its specialized committees.
Article 61:
The Council of Representatives shall be
competent in the following:
First: Enacting federal laws.
Second: Monitoring the performance of the
executive authority.
Third: Electing the President of the Republic.
Fourth: Regulating the ratification process of
international treaties and agreements by a law, to
be enacted by a two-thirds majority of the
members of the Council of Representatives.

Fifth: Approving the appointment of the following:
A. The President and members of the Federal
Court of Cassation, the Chief Public Prosecutor,
and the President of Judicial Oversight
Commission by an absolute majority, based on a
proposal from the Higher Juridical Council.
B. Ambassadors and those with special grades,
based on a proposal from the Council of Ministers.
C. The Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, his assistants,
those of the rank of division commander and
above, and the director of the intelligence service,
based on a proposal from the Council of Ministers.
Sixth:
A. Questioning the President of the Republic,
based on a petition with cause, by an
absolute majority of the members of the
Council of Representatives.
B. Relieving the President of the Republic by
an absolute majority of the Council of
Representatives after being convicted by the
Federal Supreme Court in one of the
following cases:
1- Perjury of the constitutional oath.
2- Violating the Constitution.
3- High treason.

Seventh:
A. A member of the Council of
Representatives may direct questions to the
Prime Minister and the Ministers on any
subject within their specialty and each of
them shall answer the members’ questions.
Only the member who has asked the
question shall have the right to comment on
the answer.
B. At least twenty-five members of the
Council of Representatives may raise a
general issue for discussion in order to
inquire about a policy and the performance
of the Council of Ministers or one of the
Ministries and it shall be submitted to the
Speaker of the Council of Representatives,
and the Prime Minister or the Ministers shall
specify a date to come before the Council of
Representatives to discuss it.
C. A member of the Council of
Representatives, with the agreement of
twenty-five members, may direct an inquiry
to the Prime Minister or the Ministers to call
them to account on the issues within their

authority. The debate shall not be held on
the inquiry except after at least seven days
from the date of submission of the inquiry.
Eighth:
A. The Council of Representatives may
withdraw confidence from one of the
Ministers by an absolute majority and he
shall be considered resigned from the date
of the decision of withdrawal of confidence.
A vote of no confidence in a Minister may
not be held except upon his request or on
the basis of a request signed by fifty
members after the Minister has appeared for
questioning before the Council. The Council
shall not issue its decision regarding the
request except after at least seven days from
the date of its submission.
B.
1. The President of the Republic may
submit a request to the Council of
Representatives to withdraw confidence
from the Prime Minister.
2. The Council of Representatives may
withdraw confidence from the Prime
Minister based on the request of one-fifth

of its members. This request shall not be
submitted except after an inquiry directed
at the Prime Minister and after at least
seven days from the date of submitting the
request.
3.The Council of Representatives may
decide to withdraw confidence from the
Prime Minister by an absolute majority of
the number of its members.
C. The Government is deemed resigned in
case of withdrawal of confidence from the
Prime Minister.
D. In case of a vote of withdrawal of
confidence in the Council of Ministers as a
whole, the Prime Minister and the Ministers
continue in their positions to run everyday
business for a period not to exceed thirty
days until a new Council of Ministers is
formed in accordance with the provisions of
Article 76 of this Constitution.
E. The Council of Representatives may
question independent commission heads in
accordance with the same procedures

related to the Ministers. The Council shall
have the right to relieve them by absolute
majority.
Ninth:
A. To consent to the declaration of war and
the state of emergency by a two-thirds
majority based on a joint request from the
President of the Republic and the Prime
Minister.
B. The state of emergency shall be declared
for a period of thirty days, which can be
extended after approval each time.
C. The Prime Minister shall be delegated the
necessary powers which enable him to
manage the affairs of the country during the
period of the declaration of war and the state
of emergency. These powers shall be
regulated by a law in a way that does not
contradict the Constitution.
D. The Prime Minister shall present to the
Council of Representatives the measures
taken and the results during the period of the

declaration of war and the state of
emergency within 15 days from the date of
its end.
Article 62:
First: The Council of Ministers shall submit the
draft general budget bill and the closing account to
the Council of Representatives for approval.
Second: The Council of Representatives may
conduct transfers between the sections and
chapters of the general budget and reduce the
total of its sums, and it may suggest to the Council
of Ministers that they increase the total expenses,
when necessary.
Article 63:
First: A law shall regulate the rights and privileges
of the speaker of the Council of Representatives,
his two deputies, and the members of the Council
of Representatives.
Second:
A. A member of the Council of
Representatives shall enjoy immunity for
statements made while the Council is in

session, and the member may not be
prosecuted before the courts for such.
B. A Council of Representatives member
may not be placed under arrest during the
legislative term of the Council of
Representatives, unless the member is
accused of a felony and the Council of
Representatives members consent by an
absolute majority to lift his immunity or if he
is caught in flagrante delict in the
commission of a felony.
C. A Council of Representatives member
may not be arrested after the legislative term
of the Council of Representatives, unless the
member is accused of a felony and with the
consent of the speaker of the Council of
Representatives to lift his immunity or if he is
caught in flagrante delict in the commission
of a felony.
Article 64:
First: The Council of Representatives may be
dissolved by an absolute majority of the number of
its members, or upon the request of one-third of its

members by the Prime Minister with the consent of
the President of the Republic. The Council shall
not be dissolved during the period in which the
Prime Minister is being questioned.
Second: Upon the dissolution of the Council of
Representatives, the President of the Republic
shall call for general elections in the country within
a period not to exceed sixty days from the date of
its dissolution. The Council of Ministers in this
case is deemed resigned and continues to run
everyday business.
TWO: The Federation Council
Article 65:
A legislative council shall be established
named the “Federation Council,” to include
representatives from the regions and the
governorates that are not organized in a region.
A law, enacted by a two-thirds majority of the
members of the Council of Representatives, shall
regulate the formation of the Federation Council,
its membership conditions, its competencies, and
all that is connected with it.

Chapter Two
The Executive Power
Article 66:
The federal executive power shall consist of
the President of the Republic and the Council of
Ministers and shall exercise its powers in
accordance with the Constitution and the law.
ONE: The President of the Republic
Article 67:
The President of the Republic is the Head of
the State and a symbol of the unity of the country
and represents the sovereignty of the country. He
shall guarantee the commitment to the Constitution
and the preservation of Iraq’s independence,
sovereignty, unity, and the safety of its territories,
in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution.
Article 68:
A nominee to the Presidency of the Republic
must be:
First: An Iraqi by birth, born to Iraqi parents.

Second: Fully qualified and must be over forty
years of age.
Third: Of good reputation and political experience,
known for his integrity, uprightness, fairness, and
loyalty to the homeland.
Fourth: Free of any conviction of a crime involving
moral turpitude.
Article 69:
First: The provisions for nomination to the office of
the President of the Republic shall be regulated by
law.
Second: The provisions for nomination to the office
of one or more Vice Presidents of the Republic
shall be regulated by law.
Article 70:
First: The Council of Representatives shall elect a
President of the Republic from among the
candidates by a two-thirds majority of the number
of its members.
Second: If none of the candidates receive the

required majority vote then the two candidates who
received the highest number of votes shall
compete and the one who receives the majority of
votes in the second election shall be declared
President.
Article 71:
The President shall take the constitutional
oath before the Council of Representatives
according to the language stipulated in Article 50
of the Constitution.
Article 72:
First: The President of the Republic’s term in office
shall be limited to four years. He may be reelected
for a second time only.
Second:
A. The President of the Republic’s term in
office shall end with the end of the term of
the Council of Representatives.
B. The President of the Republic shall
continue to exercise his duties until after the
end of the election and the meeting of the
new Council of Representatives, provided
that a new President of the Republic is

elected within thirty days from the date of its
first convening.
C- In case the position of the President of
the Republic becomes vacant for any
reason, a new President shall be elected to
complete the remaining period of the
President’s term.
Article 73:
The President of the Republic shall assume
the following powers:
First: To issue a special pardon on the
recommendation of the Prime Minister, except for
anything concerning a private claim and for those
who have been convicted of committing
international crimes, terrorism, or financial and
administrative corruption.
Second: To ratify international treaties and
agreements after the approval by the Council of
Representatives. Such international treaties and
agreements are considered ratified after fifteen
days from the date of receipt by the President.
Third: To ratify and issue the laws enacted by the
Council of Representatives. Such laws are

considered ratified after fifteen days from the date
of receipt by the President.
Fourth: To call the elected Council of
Representatives to convene during a period not to
exceed fifteen days from the date of approval of
the election results and in the other cases
stipulated in the Constitution.
Fifth: To award medals and decorations on the
recommendation of the Prime Minister in
accordance with the law.
Sixth: To accredit ambassadors.
Seventh: To issue Presidential decrees.
Eighth: To ratify death sentences issued by the
competent courts.
Ninth: To perform the duty of the High Command
of the armed forces for ceremonial and honorary
purposes.
Tenth: To exercise any other presidential powers
stipulated in this Constitution.

Article 74:
A law shall fix the salary and the allowances of the
President of the Republic.
Article 75:
First: The President of the Republic shall have the
right to submit his resignation in writing to the
Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and it
shall be considered effective after seven days from
the date of its submission to the Council of
Representatives.
Second: The Vice President shall replace the
President in case of his absence.
Third: The Vice President shall replace the
President of the Republic in the event that the post
of the President becomes vacant for any reason
whatsoever. The Council of Representatives must
elect a new President within a period not to exceed
thirty days from the date of the vacancy.
Fourth: In case the post of the President of the
Republic becomes vacant, the Speaker of the
Council of Representatives shall replace the
President of the Republic in case he does not have

a Vice President, on the condition that a new
President is elected during a period not to exceed
thirty days from the date of the vacancy and in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.
TWO: Council of Ministers
Article 76:
First: The President of the Republic shall charge
the nominee of the largest Council of
Representatives bloc with the formation of the
Council of Ministers within fifteen days from the
date of the election of the President of the
Republic.
Second: The Prime Minister-designate shall
undertake the naming of the members of his
Council of Ministers within a period not to exceed
thirty days from the date of his designation.
Third: If the Prime Minister-designate fails to form
the Council of Ministers during the period specified
in clause “Second,” the President of the Republic
shall charge a new nominee for the post of Prime
Minister within fifteen days.

Fourth: The Prime Minister-designate shall present
the names of his members of the Council of
Ministers and the ministerial program to the
Council of Representatives. He is deemed to have
gained its confidence upon the approval, by an
absolute majority of the Council of
Representatives, of the individual Ministers and the
ministerial program.
Fifth: The President of the Republic shall charge
another nominee to form the Council of Ministers
within fifteen days in case the Council of Ministers
did not win the vote of confidence.
Article 77:
First: The conditions for assuming the post of the
Prime Minister shall be the same as those for the
President of the Republic, provided that he has a
college degree or its equivalent and is over thirtyfive
years of age.
Second: The conditions for assuming the post of
Minister shall be the same as those for members of
the Council of Representatives, provided that he
holds a college degree or its equivalent.

Article 78:
The Prime Minister is the direct executive
authority responsible for the general policy of the
State and the commander-in-chief of the armed
forces. He directs the Council of Ministers,
presides over its meetings, and has the right to
dismiss the Ministers, with the consent of the
Council of Representatives.
Article 79:
The Prime Minister and members of the
Council of Ministers shall take the constitutional
oath before the Council of Representatives
according to the language stipulated in Article 50
of the Constitution.
Article 80:
The Council of Ministers shall exercise the
following powers:
First: To plan and execute the general policy and
general plans of the State and oversee the work of
the ministries and departments not associated with
a ministry.
Second: To propose bills.

Third: To issue rules, instructions, and decisions
for the purpose of implementing the law.
Fourth: To prepare the draft of the general budget,
the closing account, and the development plans.
Fifth: To recommend to the Council of
Representatives that it approve the appointment of
undersecretaries, ambassadors, state senior
officials, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces and
his deputies, division commanders or higher, the
Director of the National Intelligence Service, and
heads of security institutions.
Sixth: To negotiate and sign international
agreements and treaties, or designate any person
to do so.
Article 81:
First: The President of the Republic shall take up
the office of the Prime Minister in the event the
post becomes vacant for any reason whatsoever.
Second: If the event mentioned in “First” of this
Article occurs, the President shall charge another
nominee to form the Council of Ministers within a

period not to exceed fifteen days in accordance
with the provisions of Article 76 of this Constitution.
Article 82:
A law shall regulate the salaries and
allowances of the Prime Minister and Ministers,
and anyone of their grade.
Article 83:
The responsibility of the Prime Minister and
the Ministers before the Council of Representatives
is of a joint and personal nature.
Article 84:
First: A law shall regulate the work and define the
duties and authorities of the security institutions
and the National Intelligence Service, which shall
operate in accordance with the principles of human
rights and shall be subject to the oversight of the
Council of Representatives.
Second: The National Intelligence Service shall be
attached to the Council of Ministers.

Article 85:
The Council of Ministers shall establish
internal bylaws to organize the work therein.
Article 86:
A law shall regulate the formation of
ministries, their functions, and their specializations,
and the authorities of the minister.
Chapter Three
The Judicial Power
Article 87:
The judicial power is independent. The
courts, in their various types and levels, shall
assume this power and issue decisions in
accordance with the law.
Article 88:
Judges are independent, and there is no
authority over them except that of the law. No
power shall have the right to interfere in the
judiciary and the affairs of justice.

Article 89:
The federal judicial power is comprised of
the Higher Juridical Council, the Federal Supreme
Court, the Federal Court of Cassation, the Public
Prosecution Department, the Judiciary Oversight
Commission, and other federal courts that are
regulated in accordance with the law.
ONE: Higher Juridical Council
Article 90:
The Higher Juridical Council shall oversee
the affairs of the judicial committees. The law shall
specify the method of its establishment, its
authorities, and the rules of its operation.
Article 91:
The Higher Juridical Council shall exercise
the following authorities:
First: To manage the affairs of the judiciary and
supervise the federal judiciary.
Second: To nominate the Chief Justice and
members of the Federal Court of Cassation, the
Chief Public Prosecutor, and the Chief Justice of
the Judiciary Oversight Commission, and to

present those nominations to the Council of
Representatives to approve their appointment.
Third: To propose the draft of the annual budget of
the federal judicial authority, and to present it to
the Council of Representatives for approval.
TWO: Federal Supreme Court
Article 92:
First: The Federal Supreme Court is an
independent judicial body, financially and
administratively.
Second: The Federal Supreme Court shall be
made up of a number of judges, experts in Islamic
jurisprudence, and legal scholars, whose number,
the method of their selection, and the work of the
Court shall be determined by a law enacted by a
two-thirds majority of the members of the Council
of Representatives.
Article 93:
The Federal Supreme Court shall have jurisdiction
over the following:

First: Overseeing the constitutionality of laws and
regulations in effect.
Second: Interpreting the provisions of the
Constitution.
Third: Settling matters that arise from the
application of the federal laws, decisions,
regulations, instructions, and procedures issued by
the federal authority. The law shall guarantee the
right of direct appeal to the Court to the Council of
Ministers, those concerned individuals, and others.
Fourth: Settling disputes that arise between the
federal government and the governments of the
regions and governorates, municipalities, and local
administrations.
Fifth: Settling disputes that arise between the
governments of the regions and governments of
the governorates.
Sixth: Settling accusations directed against the
President, the Prime Minister and the Ministers,
and this shall be regulated by law.
Seventh: Ratifying the final results of the general

elections for membership in the Council of
Representatives.
Eight:
A. Settling competency disputes between
the federal judiciary and the judicial
institutions of the regions and governorates
that are not organized in a region.
B. Settling competency disputes between
judicial institutions of the regions or
governorates that are not organized in a
region.
Article 94:
Decisions of the Federal Supreme Court are
final and binding for all authorities.
Three: General Provisions
Article 95:
The establishment of special or extraordinary
courts is prohibited.
Article 96:
The law shall regulate the establishment of
courts, their types, levels, and jurisdiction, and the

method of appointing and the terms of service of
judges and public prosecutors, their discipline, and
their retirement.
Article 97:
Judges may not be removed except in cases
specified by law. Such law will determine the
particular provisions related to them and shall
regulate their disciplinary measures.
Article 98:
A judge or public prosecutor is prohibited
from the following:
First: Combining a judicial position with legislative
and executive positions and any other
employment.
Second: Joining any party or political organization
or performing any political activity.
Article 99:
A law shall regulate the military judiciary and
shall specify the jurisdiction of military courts,
which are limited to crimes of a military nature
committed by members of the armed forces and

security forces, and within the limits established by
law.
Article 100:
It is prohibited to stipulate in the law the
immunity from appeal for any administrative action
or decision.
Article 101:
A State Council may be established,
specialized in functions of the administrative
judiciary, issuing opinions, drafting, and
representing the State and various public
commissions before the courts except those
exempted by law.
Chapter Four
The Independent Commissions
Article 102:
The High Commission for Human Rights, the
Independent Electoral Commission, and the
Commission on Public Integrity are considered
independent commissions subject to monitoring by
the Council of Representatives, and their functions
shall be regulated by law.

Article 103:
First: The Central Bank of Iraq, the Board of
Supreme Audit, the Communication and Media
Commission, and the Endowment Commissions
are financially and administratively independent
institutions, and the work of each of these
institutions shall be regulated by law.
Second: The Central Bank of Iraq is responsible
before the Council of Representatives. The Board
of Supreme Audit and the Communication and
Media Commission shall be attached to the
Council of Representatives.
Third: The Endowment Commissions shall be
attached to the Council of Ministers.
Article 104:
A commission named The Martyrs’
Foundation shall be established and attached to
the Council of Ministers, and its functions and
competencies shall be regulated by law.
Article 105:
A public commission shall be established to
guarantee the rights of the regions and

governorates that are not organized in a region to
ensure their fair participation in managing the
various state federal institutions, missions,
fellowships, delegations, and regional and
international conferences. The commission shall
be comprised of representatives of the federal
government and representatives of the regions and
governorates that are not organized in a region,
and shall be regulated by a law.
Article 106:
A public commission shall be established by
a law to audit and appropriate federal revenues.
The commission shall be comprised of experts
from the federal government, the regions, the
governorates, and its representatives, and shall
assume the following responsibilities:
First: To verify the fair distribution of grants, aid,
and international loans pursuant to the entitlement
of the regions and governorates that are not
organized in a region.
Second: To verify the ideal use and division of the
federal financial resources.

To guarantee transparency and justice in
appropriating funds to the governments of the
regions and governorates that are not organized in
a region in accordance with the established
percentages.
Article 107:
A council named the Federal Public Service
Council shall be established and shall regulate the
affairs of the federal public service, including
appointments and promotions, and its formation
and competencies shall be regulated by law.
Article 108:
Other independent commissions may be
established by law, according to need and
necessity.

Powers of the Federal Government
Article 109:
The federal authorities shall preserve the
unity, integrity, independence, and sovereignty of
Iraq and its federal democratic system.
Article 110:
The federal government shall have exclusive
authorities in the following matters:
First: Formulating foreign policy and diplomatic
representation; negotiating, signing, and ratifying
international treaties and agreements; negotiating,
signing, and ratifying debt policies and formulating
foreign sovereign economic and trade policy.
Second: Formulating and executing national
security policy, including establishing and
managing armed forces to secure the protection
and guarantee the security of Iraq’s borders and to
defend Iraq.

Third: Formulating fiscal and customs policy;
issuing currency; regulating commercial policy
across regional and governorate boundaries in
Iraq; drawing up the national budget of the State;
formulating monetary policy; and establishing and
administering a central bank.
Fourth: Regulating standards, weights, and
measures.
Fifth: Regulating issues of citizenship,
naturalization, residency, and the right to apply for
political asylum.
Sixth: Regulating the policies of broadcast
frequencies and mail.
Seventh: Drawing up the general and investment
budget bill.
Eighth: Planning policies relating to water sources
from outside Iraq and guaranteeing the rate of
water flow to Iraq and its just distribution inside Iraq
in accordance with international laws and
conventions.
Ninth: General population statistics and census.

Article 111:
Oil and gas are owned by all the people of
Iraq in all the regions and governorates.
Article 112:
First: The federal government, with the producing
governorates and regional governments, shall
undertake the management of oil and gas
extracted from present fields, provided that it
distributes its revenues in a fair manner in
proportion to the population distribution in all parts
of the country, specifying an allotment for a
specified period for the damaged regions which
were unjustly deprived of them by the former
regime, and the regions that were damaged
afterwards in a way that ensures balanced
development in different areas of the country, and
this shall be regulated by a law.
Second: The federal government, with the
producing regional and governorate governments,
shall together formulate the necessary strategic
policies to develop the oil and gas wealth in a way
that achieves the highest benefit to the Iraqi people
using the most advanced techniques of the market
principles and encouraging investment.

Article 113:
Antiquities, archeological sites, cultural
buildings, manuscripts, and coins shall be
considered national treasures under the jurisdiction
of the federal authorities, and shall be managed in
cooperation with the regions and governorates,
and this shall be regulated by law.
Article 114:
The following competencies shall be shared
between the federal authorities and regional
authorities:
First: To manage customs, in coordination with the
governments of the regions and governorates that
are not organized in a region, and this shall be
regulated by a law.
Second: To regulate the main sources of electric
energy and its distribution.
Third: To formulate environmental policy to ensure
the protection of the environment from pollution
and to preserve its cleanliness, in cooperation with
the regions and governorates that are not
organized in a region.

planning policies.
Fifth: To formulate public health policy, in
cooperation with the regions and governorates that
are not organized in a region.
Sixth: To formulate the public educational and
instructional policy, in consultation with the regions
and governorates that are not organized in a
region.
Seventh: To formulate and regulate the internal
water resources policy in a way that guarantees
their just distribution, and this shall be regulated by
a law.
Article 115:
All powers not stipulated in the exclusive
powers of the federal government belong to the
authorities of the regions and governorates that
are not organized in a region. With regard to other
powers shared between the federal government
and the regional government, priority shall be
given to the law of the regions and governorates
not organized in a region in case of dispute.

Powers of the Regions
Chapter One
Regions
Article 116:
The federal system in the Republic of Iraq is
made up of a decentralized capital, regions, and
governorates, as well as local administrations.
Article 117:
First: This Constitution, upon coming into force,
shall recognize the region of Kurdistan, along with
its existing authorities, as a federal region.
Second: This Constitution shall affirm new regions
established in accordance with its provisions.
Article 118:
The Council of Representatives shall enact,
in a period not to exceed six months from the date
of its first session, a law that defines the executive

procedures to form regions, by a simple majority of
the members present.
Article 119:
One or more governorates shall have the
right to organize into a region based on a request
to be voted on in a referendum submitted in one of
the following two methods:
First: A request by one-third of the council
members of each governorate intending to form a
region.
Second: A request by one-tenth of the voters in
each of the governorates intending to form a
region.
Article 120:
Each region shall adopt a constitution of its
own that defines the structure of powers of the
region, its authorities, and the mechanisms for
exercising such authorities, provided that it does
not contradict this Constitution.
Article 121:
First: The regional powers shall have the right to
exercise executive, legislative, and judicial powers

in accordance with this Constitution, except for
those authorities stipulated in the exclusive
authorities of the federal government.
Second: In case of a contradiction between
regional and national legislation in respect to a
matter outside the exclusive authorities of the
federal government, the regional power shall have
the right to amend the application of the national
legislation within that region.
Third: Regions and governorates shall be allocated
an equitable share of the national revenues
sufficient to discharge their responsibilities and
duties, but having regard to their resources, needs,
and the percentage of their population.
Fourth: Offices for the regions and governorates
shall be established in embassies and diplomatic
missions, in order to follow cultural, social, and
developmental affairs.
Fifth: The regional government shall be
responsible for all the administrative requirements
of the region, particularly the establishment and
organization of the internal security forces for the

region such as police, security forces, and guards
of the region.
Chapter Two
Governorates not incorporated in a region
Article 122:
First: The governorates shall be made up of a
number of districts, sub-districts, and villages.
Second: Governorates that are not incorporated in
a region shall be granted broad administrative and
financial authorities to enable them to manage
their affairs in accordance with the principle of
decentralized administration, and this shall be
regulated by law.
Third: The governor, who is elected by the
Governorate Council, is deemed the highest
executive official in the governorate to practice his
powers authorized by the Council.
Fourth: A law shall regulate the election of the
Governorate Council, the governor, and their
powers.

Fifth: The Governorate Council shall not be
subject to the control or supervision of any ministry
or any institution not linked to a ministry. The
Governorate Council shall have independent
finances.
Article 123:
Powers exercised by the federal government
can be delegated to the governorates or vice
versa, with the consent of both governments, and
this shall be regulated by law.
Chapter Three
The Capital
Article 124:
First: Baghdad in its municipal borders is the
capital of the Republic of Iraq and shall constitute,
in its administrative borders, the governorate of
Baghdad.
Second: This shall be regulated by a law.
Third: The capital may not merge with a region.
75
Chapter Four
The Local Administrations
Article 125:
This Constitution shall guarantee the
administrative, political, cultural, and educational
rights of the various nationalities, such as
Turkomen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and all other
constituents, and this shall be regulated by law.

Final and Transitional Provisions
Chapter One
Final Provisions
Article 126:
First: The President of the Republic and the
Council of the Ministers collectively, or one-fifth of
the Council of Representatives members, may
propose to amend the Constitution.
Second: The fundamental principles mentioned in
Section One and the rights and liberties mentioned
in Section Two of the Constitution may not be
amended except after two successive electoral
terms, with the approval of two-thirds of the
members of the Council of Representatives, the
approval of the people in a general referendum,
and the ratification by the President of the Republic
within seven days.

Third: Other articles not stipulated in clause
“Second” of this Article may not be amended,
except with the approval of two-thirds of the
members of the Council of Representatives, the
approval of the people in a general referendum,
and the ratification by the President of the Republic
within seven days.
Fourth: Articles of the Constitution may not be
amended if such amendment takes away from the
powers of the regions that are not within the
exclusive powers of the federal authorities, except
by the approval of the legislative authority of the
concerned region and the approval of the majority
of its citizens in a general referendum.
Fifth:
A. An amendment is considered ratified by
the President of the Republic after the
expiration of the period stipulated in clauses
“Second” and “Third” of this Article, in case
he does not ratify it.
B. An amendment shall enter into force on
the date of its publication in the Official
Gazette.

Article 127:
The President of the Republic, the Prime
Minister, members of the Council of Ministers, the
Speaker of the Council of Representatives, his two
Deputies, members of the Council of
Representatives, members of the Judicial
Authority, and people of special grades may not
use their influence to buy or rent any state
properties, to rent or sell any of their assets to the
state, to sue the state for these assets, or to
conclude a contract with the state under the
pretense of being building contractors, suppliers, or
concessionaires.
Article 128:
The laws and judicial judgments shall be
issued in the name of the people.
Article 129:
Laws shall be published in the Official
Gazette and shall take effect on the date of their
publication, unless stipulated otherwise.

Article 130:
Existing laws shall remain in force, unless
annulled or amended in accordance with the
provisions of this Constitution.
Article 131:
Every referendum mentioned in this
Constitution is deemed successful with the
approval of the majority of the voters unless
otherwise stipulated.
Chapter Two
Transitional Provisions
Article 132:
First: The State shall guarantee care for the
families of the martyrs, political prisoners, and
victims of the oppressive practices of the defunct
dictatorial regime.
Second: The State shall guarantee compensation
to the families of the martyrs and the injured as a
result of terrorist acts.

Third: A law shall regulate matters mentioned in
clauses “First” and “Second” of this Article.
Article 133:
The Council of Representatives shall adopt
in its first session the bylaws of the Transitional
National Assembly until it adopts its own bylaws.
Article 134:
The Iraqi High Tribunal shall continue its
duties as an independent judicial body, in
examining the crimes of the defunct dictatorial
regime and its symbols. The Council of
Representatives shall have the right to dissolve it
by law after the completion of its work.
Article 135:
First: The High Commission for De-Ba’athification
shall continue its functions as an independent
commission, in coordination with the judicial
authority and the executive institutions within the
framework of the laws regulating its functions. The
Commission shall be attached to the Council of
Representatives.

Second: The Council of Representatives shall have
the right to dissolve this Commission by an
absolute majority after the completion of its
function.
Third: A nominee to the positions of the President
of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the members
of the Council of Ministers, the Speaker, the
members of the Council of Representatives, the
President, members of the Federation Council,
their counterparts in the regions, or members of
the judicial commissions and other positions
covered by de-Ba’athification statutes pursuant to
the law may not be subject to the provisions of deBa’athification.
Fourth: The conditions stated in clause “Third” of
this Article shall remain in force unless the
Commission stated in item “First” of this Article is
dissolved.
Fifth: Mere membership in the dissolved Ba’ath
party shall not be considered a sufficient basis for
referral to court, and a member shall enjoy equality
before the law and protection unless covered by

82
the provisions of De-Ba’athification and the
directives issued according to it.
Sixth: The Council of Representatives shall form a
parliamentary committee from among its members
to monitor and review the executive procedures of
the Higher Commission for De-Ba’athification and
state institutions to guarantee justice, objectivity,
and transparency and to examine their consistency
with the laws. The committee’s decisions shall be
subject to the approval of the Council of
Representatives.
Article 136:
First: The Property Claims Commission shall
continue its functions as an independent
commission in coordination with the judicial
authority and the executive institutions in
accordance with the law. The Property Claims
Commission shall be attached to the Council of
Representatives.
Second: The Council of Representatives shall have
the right to dissolve the Commission by a twothirds
majority vote of its members.

Article 137:
Application of the provisions of the articles
related to the Federation Council, wherever it may
be cited in this Constitution, shall be postponed
until the Council of Representatives issues a
decision by a two-thirds majority vote in its second
electoral term that is held after this Constitution
comes into force.
Article 138:
First: The expression “the Presidency Council”
shall replace the expression “the President of the
Republic” wherever the latter is mentioned in this
Constitution. The provisions related to the
President of the Republic shall be reactivated one
successive term after this Constitution comes into
force.
Second:
A. The Council of Representatives shall
elect the President of the State and two Vice
Presidents who shall form a Council called
the “Presidency Council,” which shall be
elected by one list and with a two-thirds
majority.

B. The provisions to remove the President of
the Republic present in this Constitution shall
apply to the President and members of the
Presidency Council.
C. The Council of Representatives may
remove a member of the Presidency Council
with a three-fourths majority of the number of
its members for reasons of incompetence
and dishonesty.
D. In the event of a vacant seat in the
Presidency Council, the Council of
Representatives shall elect a replacement by
a two-thirds majority vote of its members.
Third: Members of the Presidency Council shall be
subject to the same conditions as a member of the
Council of Representatives and must:
A. Be over forty years of age.
B. Enjoy good reputation, integrity and
uprightness.
C. Have quit the dissolved (Ba’ath) Party ten
years prior to its fall, in case he was a
member of it.

D. Have not participated in suppressing the
1991 and Al-Anfal uprisings. He must not
have committed a crime against the Iraqi
people.
Fourth: The Presidency Council shall issue its
decisions unanimously and any member may
delegate to one of the two other members to take
his place.
Fifth:
A. Legislation and decisions enacted by the
Council of Representatives shall be
forwarded to the Presidency Council for their
unanimous approval and for its issuance
within ten days from the date of delivery to
the Presidency Council, except the
stipulations of Articles 118 and 119 that
pertain to the formation of regions.
B. In the event the Presidency Council does
not approve, legislation and decisions shall
be sent back to the Council of
Representatives to reexamine the disputed
issues and to vote on them by the majority of

its members and then shall be sent for the
second time to the Presidency Council for
approval.
C. In the event the Presidency Council does
not approve the legislation and decisions for
the second time within ten days of receipt,
the legislation and decisions are sent back to
the Council of Representatives, which has
the right to adopt it by three-fifths majority of
its members, which may not be challenged,
and the legislation or decision shall be
considered ratified.
Sixth: The Presidency Council shall exercise the
powers of the President of the Republic stipulated
in this Constitution.
Article 139:
The Prime Minister shall have two deputies in the
first electoral term.
Article 140:
First: The executive authority shall undertake the
necessary steps to complete the implementation of

the requirements of all subparagraphs of Article 58
of the Transitional Administrative Law.
Second: The responsibility placed upon the
executive branch of the Iraqi Transitional
Government stipulated in Article 58 of the
Transitional Administrative Law shall extend and
continue to the executive authority elected in
accordance with this Constitution, provided that it
accomplishes completely (normalization and
census and concludes with a referendum in Kirkuk
and other disputed territories to determine the will
of their citizens), by a date not to exceed the 31st
of December 2007.
Article 141:
Legislation enacted in the region of
Kurdistan since 1992 shall remain in force, and
decisions issued by the government of the region
of Kurdistan, including court decisions and
contracts, shall be considered valid unless they are
amended or annulled pursuant to the laws of the
region of Kurdistan by the competent entity in the
region, provided that they do not contradict with
the Constitution.

Article 142:
First: The Council of Representatives shall form at
the beginning of its work a committee from its
members representing the principal components of
the Iraqi society with the mission of presenting to
the Council of Representatives, within a period not
to exceed four months, a report that contains
recommendations of the necessary amendments
that could be made to the Constitution, and the
committee shall be dissolved after a decision is
made regarding its proposals.
Second: The proposed amendments shall be
presented to the Council of Representatives all at
once for a vote upon them, and shall be deemed
approved with the agreement of the absolute
majority of the members of the Council.
Third: The articles amended by the Council of
Representatives pursuant to item “Second” of this
Article shall be presented to the people for voting
on them in a referendum within a period not
exceeding two months from the date of their
approval by the Council of Representatives.

Fourth: The referendum on the amended Articles
shall be successful if approved by the majority of
the voters, and if not rejected by two-thirds of the
voters in three or more governorates.
Fifth: Article 126 of the Constitution (concerning
amending the Constitution) shall be suspended,
and shall return into force after the amendments
stipulated in this Article have been decided upon.
Article 143:
The Transitional Administrative Law and its
Annex shall be annulled on the seating of the new
government, except for the stipulations of Article
53(A) and Article 58 of the Transitional
Administrative Law.
Article 144:
This Constitution shall come into force after
the approval of the people thereon in a general
referendum, its publication in the Official Gazette,
and the seating of the government that is formed
pursuant to this Constitution