Niqash: briefings from inside and across Iraq
cooking up kurdish constitution to stay in power?
Iraqi Kurdistan’s PM is demanding the regional Constitution be finalised. In 2009, everyone agreed with him. In 2013, everyone – including his political allies – believes he’s manipulating the national document for his own ends. by Hiwa Barznjy in Erbil moreiraq’s extremists impose agenda on local media
Recently gangs that allegedly follow Shiite Muslim cleric, Mahmoud al-Sarkhi, attacked four Baghdad newspapers because they didn’t like what the papers had written. How did they get through central city checkpoints? Iraqi journalists want to know. by Special Correspondent in Baghdad
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wrongful dismissal: sacked ninawa judges won’t be government ‘tools’
A decision by the commission ensuring members of Saddam Hussein’s party don’t get into powerful positions in modern Iraq has caused controversy. It says 32 Ninawa judges must leave their jobs. Two of those judges are deceased; the rest say they’re not budging. by Abdullah Salem in Mosul
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from under the bed, into living room: iraqi govt legalises guns
A new law states Iraqis may now own one gun per household. But is the state simply formalising a ‘Wild West’ gun culture that already exists? Or signing hundreds more Iraqis’ death warrants? by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad
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new cyber crimes law: life in prison for visiting the wrong website
Iraq is about to introduce a new law to cover the cyber world. Authorities hope it will help fight terrorism. Critics say when ordinary Internet users could face of life in prison, it goes too far – and curbs freedom of expression. by Khaled Waleed in Baghdad morekurdish opposition opinions: boycotts, bouquets and baghdad versus erbil
NIQASH talks to the spokesperson for Iraqi Kurdistan’s main opposition party, the Change Movement, about the worsening relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, the flight of Iraq’s VP to their region and why they boycotted their parliament recently. by Zanko Ahmad in Sulaymaniyah moredemocratic principles? new political law signals end of iraq’s biggest parties
There are an estimated 500 political parties participating in Iraq’s fledgling democracy. Yet almost none of them are regulated by legislation. A draft law has been proposed but if it’s passed, it could end Iraq’s biggest political parties. by Mustafa Habib in Baghdad
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iraq's female judges: second class citizens at court
The number of female judges in Iraqi courts has increased dramatically and a new law may increase the number further. But most won’t be promoted. Even high ranking lawyers think they’re best heading the family courts. by Kholoud Ramzi in Baghdad moreconditions for cooperation ignored by iraqi pm, kurdish mps say
The Iraqi government released its political manifesto last week. But, Kurdish politicians say, it ignores all of the conditions for their cooperation in the precarious alliance that rules Iraq. Once again, the balance of power in Iraq looks shaky. by Yaseen Taha in Baghdad morejustice served: tribal law trumping civil in modern iraq
In Iraq, the law is not always applied equally and the ancient system of tribal law is proving more popular. But can the two systems co-exist? And what happens when state officials start using it too? by Haider Najm in Baghdad
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