Not 54,000
MP says ‘only’ 1600 diplomatic passports were issued.
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Member of Parliament Mohammed Al-Shemari has refuted claims that 54,000 diplomatic passports were issued to undeserving individuals, clarifying that only 1,600 such passports were granted.
Al-Shemari, a member of the Defense and Security Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, told the official Al-Sabah Newspaper that these passports are “granted for life to key figures who have served the country and to their spouses. Other family members must surrender their passports once they reach the age of 24, transitioning to standard documentation, which is a normal procedure.”
He emphasized that “this practice does not increase the overall number of passports issued,” and noted that his committee is currently discussing amendments to the Diplomatic Passport Law.
Under current Iraqi law, diplomatic passports are granted to high-ranking government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and retired military personnel of the rank of brigadier general and above. Additionally, the Minister of Interior has the authority to issue service passports to individuals as deemed necessary for the public interest.
Al-Shemari’s remarks come in response to allegations that 54,000 diplomatic passports were issued to undeserving individuals.
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