Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court recently invalidated a law allowing lifetime diplomatic passports. The court ruled that the law conflicts with the 2005 Constitution. This ruling followed challenges from the ministers of foreign affairs and interior.
The court examined two lawsuits targeting Law No. 6 of 2025, which amended Passports Law No. 23 of 2015. After careful review, the court issued a unanimous decision on August 20, 2025. It declared Law No. 6 unconstitutional due to conflicts with Articles 14, 16, 47, and 80 of the Constitution.
The ruling effectively stops the practice of issuing lifetime diplomatic passports. Typically, diplomatic passports expire once officials leave their posts in most countries. This measure aims to align Iraq’s passport rules with international standards.
Concerns about misuse arose long before the amendment passed. For instance, in 2023, the Parliamentary Integrity Committee reported troubling figures. The committee stated that 32,000 diplomatic passports had been issued in recent years. Alarmingly, 10,000 of those went to people with no diplomatic ties.
Sarwa Abdul Wahid, a committee member, criticized the ministry’s issuance practices. She said, “The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued 32,000 diplomatic passports in the past four years. It is unreasonable to have that many diplomatic employees.”
Despite these warnings, parliament approved the amendment on January 13, 2025. However, the Federal Supreme Court’s ruling has now overturned this decision. The court’s judgment emphasizes the need for stricter passport regulations and transparency.
Moreover, this development highlights Iraq’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and prevent abuse. Consequently, the decision reinforces constitutional compliance and protects the integrity of diplomatic privileges. Moving forward, officials will likely review current passport practices to avoid future misuse.
In conclusion, the ruling ends the issuance of lifetime diplomatic passports under Law No. 6. It marks a significant step toward better accountability and international compliance. This decision also sends a clear message about Iraq’s commitment to uphold its constitution and protect national security.
