Constitution of Iraq (2005)

The post Saddam federal charter negotiated under occupation and sectarian balance.

Overview

Ratified by referendum in October 2005, the Iraqi Constitution created a federal parliamentary system with a semi autonomous Kurdistan region recognized explicitly, an unusual internationalization of an existing autonomous arrangement. It declares Islam the official religion and a source of legislation, guarantees rights including some social protections, and designs oil revenue sharing. Negotiated among Shia, Kurdish, and Sunni representatives under US sponsorship, it entrenched ethno sectarian power sharing and a three member presidency council, later replaced by a single president. Implementation of promised referendums, notably Kirkuk, remains unresolved.