Families of prisoners protest in Mosul on February 5, 2025, demanding the enforcement of the General Amnesty Law and the release of the innocent.
Rallies in Mosul
Protest and political fallout grows over Supreme Court verdict suspending new laws
BAGHDAD — The Federal Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the General Amnesty Law, an amendment to the Personal Status Law, and the Property Restitution Law has ignited widespread protests and political backlash, particularly among Sunni leaders and governorates. Demonstrations broke out in Mosul and Fallujah, and three provincial governors halted official operations in response to the ruling.
The court ruled Monday to provisionally suspend the three laws, citing legal challenges over their constitutional and parliamentary approval process. According to the court, the step aims to avoid irreversible consequences while the claims are under review. Although the laws had garnered support from Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish blocs, opposition has so far come only from Sunni leaders, notably those affiliated with the Taqaddum Party.
Dozens of family members of convicted prisoners staged a protest Wednesday outside the Interior Ministry’s Faisaliah Transfer Prison in Mosul, calling for “the implementation of the law and the release of the innocent and wrongfully imprisoned.” In Fallujah, tribal elders gathered to urge the president and the Federal Supreme Court to reverse the suspension, announcing their plan to file appeals through Anbar’s parliamentary representatives.
Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi and Sovereignty Alliance leader Khamis Al-Khanjar both criticized the decision. Halbousi warned, “Our voice will be heard in the streets,” while Khanjar said lawmakers who challenged the legislation should be held accountable for the negative impact on political stability.
The governors of Anbar, Salah Al-Din, and Nineveh suspended official operations Wednesday to protest the ruling. Anbar Governor Mohammed Nouri said in a statement, “In opposition to the Federal Court’s ruling, we have decided to halt official operations in the governorate for three days.” Salah Al-Din Governor Badr Fahl similarly announced a suspension of all official activities through Thursday, while Nineveh Governor Abdulqadir Dakheel declared the closure of government offices in his governorate due to the court’s decision.