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Iraqi Cabinet Approves International Crimes Bill, Paving the Way for ISIS Genocide Prosecutions
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved the International Crimes Bill, which covers genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The approval came after the bill completed the review process by the Council of Ministers and will now be formally referred to the Council of Representatives in accordance with constitutional procedures.
In this context, Khalaf Shingaly, adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister for Kurdish Ezidi affairs and one of those involved in drafting the bill, told that the legislation represents a strategic step toward strengthening Iraq’s judicial system.
He explained that the law would allow perpetrators of international crimes to be prosecuted more precisely and tried according to internationally recognized legal definitions of such crimes.
Shingali added that once the bill receives parliamentary approval and enters into force, it would legally pave the way for the prosecution of ISIS members for genocide and other serious violations.
He noted that prosecutions under the new law would be based on evidence and the realities on the ground related to genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, rather than relying solely on the Anti-Terrorism Law and Article 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Law. This, he said, would give justice a stronger international dimension and provide greater redress for victims.
The Council of Ministers held its 16th regular session on Monday, August 24, 2026, chaired by Council President Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, during which it discussed the general situation in the country and issued a number of decisions covering economic, agricultural, and financial matters, in addition to approving the International Crimes Bill.
During his appearance on Basi Roz on Kurdistan24 on August 3, 2026, Shingali said that ISIS members had previously been prosecuted solely under the Anti-Terrorism Law. He explained that the new bill, titled the International Crimes Law, had completed all review stages at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and the State Council and was awaiting referral to Parliament.
The adviser said the new legislation would allow ISIS members to be directly prosecuted on charges of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He added that the draft also includes provisions to establish a special fund to provide material and moral compensation to survivors and those affected by the group’s crimes.
Shingali stressed that the presence of multiple armed and unofficial groups in the region remains the main obstacle to the full implementation of the Sinjar Agreement and the return of displaced people. He said implementing the agreement requires “a shared will between Baghdad, Erbil, and the international community” to ensure security and provide essential services.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Prime Minister’s adviser praised the Kurdistan Regional Government’s efforts in supporting the Ezidi cause, saying that the KRG had succeeded in internationalizing the Ezidi genocide issue, sheltered thousands of displaced people, and mobilized all available resources to protect them.
He also described calls by Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, to support the Ezidis as “entirely justified.”