Federal Supreme Court Dismisses Lawsuit Disputing Legal Status of Halabja Governorate

PUKMEDIA

Halabja Governorate.

The Federal Supreme Court, in its session held on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law establishing Halabja as a governorate.
This case, the first of its kind, was filed by five members of the Iraqi parliament against the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the parliament. The plaintiffs claimed that the law recognising Halabja’s governorate status was passed without proper constitutional procedures, and they sought an emergency ruling to halt its implementation.

The lawsuit also targeted Iraqi President Dr Abdullatif Jamal Rashid, citing Republican Decree No. (19), issued on 29 April 2025, which officially recognised Halabja as Iraq’s eleventh governorate. The plaintiffs argued that the decree was issued without due legal basis.

However, the Federal Court dismissed the case in full, affirming the legal validity of Halabja’s status as a governorate.

Responding to the ruling, Chro Hama Sharif, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) bloc in the Iraqi parliament, told PUKMEDIA: “Let's put this issue behind us. The Federal Court has rejected the unconstitutional challenge. On this occasion, we extend our congratulations to the people of Halabja Province and the Kurdistan Region.”

She added: “Our focus must now be on issuing executive orders to secure Halabja’s rights, entitlements, and services—on par with any other province in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. This outcome is a testament to Kurdish unity and our collective stance.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government first declared Halabja a governorate on 13 March 2014. The Iraqi parliament passed the law confirming its status on 14 April 2025, followed by the issuance of the Republican Decree on 29 April. The law was officially published in the Iraqi Gazette on 5 May 2025.




PUKMEDIA