New Constitution for Iraq
The members of the Governing Council in Iraq signed an interim constitution in Iraq, BBC reported today. The new constitution, which states that Islam will be the official religion of the state, is quite progressive as it ensures equal rights of all (regardless of gender or religion), a right of minority groups to veto a future permanent constitution and a provision for rotating presidency. The former two provision were contentious with the Shia representatives. Shia muslim spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said that any law prepared for the transitional period will not have legitimacy until it is approved by the elected national assembly. Elections for representatives in the National Assembly will be held before the December 31, 2004. The electoral system was designed to secure representation of women of at least one-quarter of the Assembly seats.
The interim constitution will come into effect when Iraqi sovereignty is officially granted by the "Coalition" forces. This is expected to happen at the end of June 2004. In the meantime, the fighting in Iraq continues.