Iraqi Lawmaker Challenges Cabinet Secrecy Clause at Federal Supreme Court

Iraqi Parliament member Muhammad Jasim al-Hafaji has taken the Cabinet’s internal regulation clause on the confidentiality of meetings and decisions to the Federal Supreme Court, arguing that it weakens parliament’s oversight role and restricts public access to information. Hafaji said the secrecy provision makes it harder for the legislature to carry out its monitoring duties. He also noted that not publishing Cabinet decisions in the official gazette or on state institutions’ websites makes access to information more difficult. In his filing, he asked the court to require the Council of Ministers to publish all of its decisions through official channels. He said such a ruling would strengthen Parliament’s oversight powers and allow government decisions to be tracked more closely.