The CoI called on Sunday, 14\8\2016 for the Iraqi Council of Representatives to postpone the vote on the general amnesty law in order to discuss the contents of the law and to correct certain procedures and descriptions that should be excluded from amnesty,  graft and public property damage crimes in particular.

The CoI stated the possible harm that could be inflicted - provided the draft passes in its current form – and the possibility of damages to public property.

The CoI referred to certain legal drafting points in the current form of the law regarding graft offenses that would negate the current effort in combating corruption. The Commission does not believe in including corruption crimes in the general amnesty bill while everyone is calling for additional efforts to combat corruption. It also supported suggestions to amend the current draft regarding the issue of corruption.

The Commission also stated that the vote on this law would require a review by the Commission to ensure accurate drafting that would guarantee not releasing anyone implicated in graft or embezzlement. The commission noted that it was not part of the drafting process, although Article 3/Four of CoI law no.30 for 2011 charged the commission with “Drafting laws that would contribute to prevention or combating corruption”.

The Speaker of the Parliament planned the voting on the general amnesty law on Monday, 15\8\2016, noting that the parliament failed to pass the law more than once due to some controversy.