Iraq
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary democracy
- CONSTITUTION
- ratified on October 15, 2005 (currently under review by the Constitutional Committee and likely to be subject to a referendum in the future)
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on European civil law and Islamic law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- Council of Representatives
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- according to the constitution, the federal judiciary includes the High Judicial Council, the Federal Supreme Court, the Federal Court of Cassation, the Public Prosecutor's Department, the Judicial Oversight Commission, and other federal courts
RELIGIONS
97% Muslims; Christian and Hindu minorities
From the country
SEPTEMBER 6, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. SADDAM SHOULD BE EXECUTED 20 TIMES A DAY, TALABANI SAYS
ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein "confessed" to releasing orders for executions and a campaign against Kurds in which thousands of people are said to have been killed, President Jalal Talabani said.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. SADDAM TO GO ON TRIAL OCTOBER 19
former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and seven of his henchmen would go on trial on October 19 over the massacre of 143 people more than two decades ago, government spokesman Laith Kubba.
- SEPTEMBER 3, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
UNITED NATIONS. UN REGRETS IRAQ'S USE OF DEATH PENALTY
reacting to the Iraqi Government's decision to execute by hanging three men accused of kidnapping, killing and rape, the United Nations Assistance Mission for the country (UNAMI) urged that future death penalty sentences be commuted.
- SEPTEMBER 2, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
EUROPEAN UNION. EU OPPOSES APPLICATION OF DEATH PENALTY IN IRAQ
the European Union adopted a declaration in which it expresses its regret that the death penalty had been applied once more in Iraq.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTYIRAQ. FIRST POST-SADDAM EXECUTIONS
Iraq executed three convicted murderers, the first time the government has carried out the death penalty since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, government spokesman Laith Kubba said.
- AUGUST 28, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. TALABANI WON'T SIGN SADDAM DEATH SENTENCE
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said in remarks that he would not sign a death sentence against his ousted predecessor Saddam Hussein even if it costs him his job.
- AUGUST 24, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. ANOTHER EXECUTION DUE AS NEW DEATH SENTENCE PASSED
Abed Saleh al-Issawi, an Iraqi man convicted of murder, was sentenced to death in Iraq's fourth scheduled execution since authorities reinstated capital punishment.
- AUGUST 21, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
IRAQ. GOVERNMENT DEFENDS DEATH PENALTY AHEAD OF EXECUTIONS
the Iraqi government defended its decision to reinstate the death penalty following a United Nations appeal for Baghdad to reconsider executing three convicted felons.
- AUGUST 20, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
UNITED NATIONS. ENVOY URGES IRAQ TO RECONSIDER DEATH PENALTY
Ashraf Qazi, special representative of UN secretary general Kofi Annan, urged Iraq to reconsider carrying out the first executions since the 2003 overthrow of former dictator Saddam Hussein.
- JULY 23, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
SADDAM TO BE EXECUTED SOON, PAPER
the government-financed al-Sabah daily said that toppled President Saddam Hussein was expected to be sentenced and executed within weeks.
- JULY 17, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
TRIBUNAL FORMALLY CHARGES SADDAM HUSSEIN
Iraq's special tribunal laid the first formal charges against Saddam Hussein for crimes committed during his 25-year rule and a date for his trial may be announced "within days", the tribunal said.
- JULY 16, 2005IraqDEATH PENALTY
KURDISH ISLAMIC SCHOLARS CALL FOR EXECUTION OF INSURGENTS
text of report by Meriwan Neqishbendi entitled "In their Friday sermon, Kurdistan Islamic scholars call for execution of terrorists", published by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper, Khabat...