Examining International Treaty Governance within the Iraqi Legal Framework Ratification, Implementation, and Constitutional Challenges
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Abstract
The term "treaty" as defined in Article 1(2) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties encompasses any written agreement in international law, irrespective of nomenclature, adhering to principles of international law and intended to be legally binding. This broad definition provides states with a framework to establish international relations and uphold their international commitments. However, conflicts may arise between international treaties and national legal systems. Therefore, this study aims to explore the position of international treaties within Iraq's legal framework, specifically examining conflicts between treaties and domestic laws, as well as discrepancies between the Iraqi Constitution of 2005 and Treaties Conclusion Law No. 35 of 2015 (TCL). The investigation focuses on the legislative and executive bodies responsible for ratifying and implementing treaties. While Iraq's legal system adheres to the Dualist Theory to resolve conflicts between domestic and international law, a discordance exists between the constitution and treaty conclusion law. Under the Iraqi Constitution, parliamentary approval is mandated for all international treaties, while Law No. 35 categorizes treaties, granting the prime minister discretion over some types without parliamentary oversight.
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