BAGHDAD, Iraq - A Shiite bloc in the Iraqi parliament refused to support a prisoner amnesty bill introduced by mainly Sunni MPs for a reading Sunday, describing it as “serving terrorists.”
“We have the right to refuse this bill,” Razzaq Mihebis, an MP from the Badr, bloc told Rudaw. “We see that parts of this proposed bill only serves terrorists.”
Mihebis said that his bloc would principally agree with the bill that would grant amnesty to thousands of Iraqi prisoners, but he added that it should be carefully studied before passing.
“We should not hurry about passing this law,” he said. “Many of those in prion have the blood of the Iraqi people on their hands.”
The Shiite MP said that the parliament must keep in mind the victims of terrorism and their feelings before making the amnesty bill a law.
“There are victims of terrorism, their families, the wounded and the displaced,” he explained. “Therefore, we cannot pass a law that is against them and in the interest of terrorists.”
Sunni MPs are the driving force behind the bill, arguing that thousands of Sunni men have been imprisoned on “vague charges” of terrorism or loyalty to the former Baath Party.
Mihesib argued it is important that political parties reach a consensus on the proposed bill before parliamentary blocs can support it.
“An amnesty law must be agreed on by all parties and the people of Iraq and should not conflict with the constitution,” he said. “But once again, the law should not be written in a way that would facilitate the release of terrorists from prison.”
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