Iraq passes bill to return land confiscated under Baathist rule

BAGHDAD,— Iraq’s parliament passed a landmark bill on Tuesday to return land confiscated under the Baath regime to its original owners.

The law addresses a long-standing grievance stemming from land seizures carried out decades ago under Saddam Hussein’s government, where Kurdish and Turkmen properties were taken and given to Arab settlers.

The newly passed bill aims to reverse those actions and restore the lands to their rightful owners, a move hailed by Kurdish lawmakers as a step toward justice and reconciliation.

The bill comes after years of efforts by Kurdish and Turkmen leaders to reclaim lands taken during the Baathist era, especially in regions like Kirkuk, which has been a flashpoint of political and ethnic tensions.

Under the Baath regime in the 1970s, Kurdish and Turkmen families were displaced, and their properties were given to Arab settlers as part of a broader Arabization policy.

After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Iraq’s new constitution, through Article 140, laid out plans to reverse these demographic changes, but progress was slow. The approval of this bill marks a significant step in fulfilling that promise.

Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Shakhawan Abdullah Ahmad, spoke to the importance of the legislation during a press conference on January 21, 2025.

Surrounded by fellow Kurdish lawmakers, Abdullah said, “The Iraqi parliament took a big step to dissolve the decisions that were made to occupy Kurdish and Turkmen lands 20 years after being saved from the previous regime and after 50 years of occupation.”

He attributed the successful passage of the bill to the “unified stance” of the Kurdish blocs and their “vigilance and continuous efforts.”

In addition to the land restitution law, the Iraqi legislature also approved amendments to the controversial personal status law pushed by Shiite political blocs. The changes to this law have sparked heated debate across the country, with critics concerned about its impact on women’s rights.

Meanwhile, the parliament also passed a general amnesty bill, which includes changes to the definition of affiliation with terrorist groups. Sunni political factions had pushed for these changes, aiming to address concerns about the prosecution of those accused of terrorism.

Iraq’s parliamentary speaker, Al-Mashhadani, also praised the approval of the general amnesty law, describing it as a crucial step toward national reconciliation. He stated, “With pride and honor, and on behalf of the people we represent, I announce to you today the approval of the amendment to the General Amnesty Law, a step that reflects our continued commitment to national reconciliation.”

The passage of these three bills comes after months of delays and disagreements between Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni lawmakers. While the land restitution law was a top priority for Kurdish leaders, the changes to the personal status and general amnesty laws were hotly debated due to their potential political and social implications.