Baghdad: The House of Wisdom – Legal Studies Department, in conjunction with the Parliamentary Legislation Department of the Council of Representatives, organized a scientific seminar titled ‘The Federal Council Law: A Constitutional Entitlement and the Necessities of Legislative Balance’ at the Al-Khwarizmi Hall.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the seminar was chaired by Ezz El-Din Al-Muhammadi, supervisor of the Legal Studies Department, with Ali Hussein Shihab, director of the Scientific Coordination and Follow-up Division, serving as rapporteur. The event underscored the significance of enacting the Iraqi Federal Council Law to bolster legislation in Iraq and tackle the challenges and controversies associated with legislation from the Council of Representatives.

The seminar featured four sessions, each presented by esteemed law professors. Abbas Al-Aqabi from the College of Law – University of Baghdad discussed the constitutional foundation of the Federal Council, the implications of its enactment, and the legislative process’s associated challenges. Thaer Al-Araji from the Parliamentary Legislation Department analyzed the 2005 Constitution’s requirements for a federal state, emphasizing the Federal Council’s establishment as essential for completing the legislative framework.

Wael Munther Al-Bayati from the College of Basic Education at Al-Mustansiriya University highlighted the necessity of legislative balance in Iraq to prevent hasty legislation. He proposed scenarios for organizing the Federal Council to ensure legislative equilibrium alongside the Council of Representatives. Hazem Al-Rudaini, Vice President of the Strategic Center for Human Rights, provided a comparative study of global federal councils, detailing mechanisms for activating the Iraqi Federal Council and the stages and procedures necessary for implementation.

In a related discussion, Amir al-Kinani, the President’s Advisor for Legislative Affairs, detailed the Presidency Council’s efforts to enact the Iraqi Federal Council Law amid recent parliamentary sessions and the major challenges encountered. The seminar concluded with Qahtan Ni’ma Hassan al-Khafaji, Advisor to the House of Wisdom, awarding certificates of appreciation to participants for their contributions to the symposium’s success. The session also featured insightful interventions and comments that enriched the scholarly discussions.