From the Iraqi Constitution

[andrewducker]

Cheers to chipuni for his post on this:

1st — Islam is the official religion of the state and is a basic source of legislation:

(a) No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam.

(b) No law can be passed that contradicts the principles of democracy.

Well that's an interesting combination

Court sessions will be open unless the court decides to make them secret.

Great.  Just great.

Punitive law shall not be applied retroactively unless it is best for the defendant.

Which means what, exactly?

The state guarantees social and health insurance, the basics for a free and honorable life for the individual and the family — especially children and women — and works to protect them from illiteracy, fear and poverty and provides them with housing and the means to rehabilitate and take care of them. This shall be regulated by law.

Well that's something positive at least.

Every individual has the right to live in a correct environmental atmosphere.

Which will have the officially correct proportion of Oxygen to Nitrogen.

Oil and gas is the property of all the Iraqi people in all the regions and provinces.

Huzzah for communism!

Free education is a right for Iraqis in all its stages.

Shame America doesn't have that.

Comments

[pisica.livejournal.com]

Shame America doesn't have that.

It doesn't?

[andrewducker]

You get free University education?

[andrewducker]

In fairness, neither does the UK any more.

[pisica.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry, I was reading it as more along the lines of 'free expression, not subject to government dictatorship about what is learned'. I'm really tired and ought to go to bed....

No, it isn't free in the states, although the state university systems (including community colleges) offer a hell of a lot more funding than here. Not that I'm bitter. :P

See you tomorrow!

[pisica.livejournal.com]

Well, the problem I have with 'free' university education is that it isn't. *Someone* has to pay salaries and building upkeep etc etc etc. If it's the taxpayers who pay, that's one way to deal with how to fund education, but it isn't 'free'.

[andrewducker]

It's free to the user (well, it used to be over here). I'm definitely in favour of that up to secondary school, at least.

[stillcarl.livejournal.com]

Article (17):

2nd — The sanctity of the home is protected. They cannot be entered or searched or violated except by judicial decision and in accordance with the law.

So, soldiers will now need to get a court order before they search Iraqi homes, or have I read that wrong?

(Or perhaps I just haven't read enough of the constitution to find out how foreign troops in their land are to be governed...)

[stillcarl.livejournal.com]

Article (25): The state shall guarantee the reforming of the Iraqi economy according to modern economic bases, in a way that ensures complete investment of its resources, diversifying its sources and encouraging and developing the private sector.

Huzzah for capitalism!

Odd to see how the economy should be reformed enshrined in a constitution...

[missedith01.livejournal.com]

I'm glad arbitrary detention isn't allowed. I wish our government was committed to that. :o)

[andrewducker]

We don't have arbitrary detention either - there has to be a good reason. Which you won't be told. And neither will your lawyer. Only Charles Clarke has to know. But he says it's a good one. And you can trust him, he's a politician!