Iraq: Timeline of Institutional Change
Peace Agreements, Local Agreements, Constitutional Events, Amnesties, Elections and Coup d'etats in Iraq since 1990.
Interactive timeline of peace or transition agreements, coup d’états, amnesties, elections and constitutional events since 1990.
Interim Constitution introduced: Iraq 1990
December 31, 1990
In 1990 there was an interim constitution introduced, to replace the Constitution previously in place. President of the Revolutionary Command Council
View more on this constitution on:
- Constitutes page for Iraq
Framework-substantive, partial Agreement: UN Security Council Resolution 687
April 3, 1991
In April 1991 an interstate agreement was signed, in Iraq/Kuwait, at the framework-substantive, partial stage of the Iraq peace process - first Iraq war. Comprehensive security agreement, reaffirming sovereignty of Kuwait and resolving any border issues. Provisions continue to affirm Iraq's need to adhere to international conventions on non-proliferation of WMDs, to report all their ballistic missiles with a range over 150km for destruction, and to establish a UN Observer Unit to station to the ten mile demilitarized zone.
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Implementation Agreement: Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretariat of the United Nations and the Government of Iraq on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 986
May 20, 1996
In May 1996 an interstate agreement was signed, in Iraq/(United Nations), at the implementation stage of the Iraq peace process - first Iraq war. Agreement outlines the modalities of the oil-for-food programme to implement UNSC resolution 986. It calls for the establishment of an Iraq account, and the export of oil, with oversight in return for food, medicine, water, etc. to be distributed to the Iraqi population. It also calls for strict oversight of import of such goods with the deployment of UN Inspectors.
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Implementation Agreement: Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the Republic of Iraq
February 23, 1998
In February 1998 an interstate agreement was signed, in Iraq/(United Nations), at the implementation stage of the Iraq peace process - first Iraq war. Iraq confirmed its acceptance of all relevant Security Council resolutions and the commitment of UN Member States to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq was expressed. Iraq undertook to cooperate fully with UNSCOM and the International Atomic Energy Agency and UNSCOM undertook to express its concerns relating to national security, sovereignty and dignity. Special procedures for entries to presidential sites were also agreed and the Secretary General undertook to bring matter of sanctions to full attention of Security-Council members.
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Pre-negotiation Agreement: Agreement on Political Process
November 15, 2003
In November 2003 an intrastate agreement was signed, in Iraq, at the pre-negotiation stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. Short agreement between Coalition Provisional Authority and the Governing Council of Iraq for the establishment of a Fundamental Law, the selection Transitional National Assembly, and the eventual restoration of sovereignty to Iraqi governing bodies.
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Framework-substantive, comprehensive Agreement: Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period
March 8, 2004
In March 2004 an intrastate agreement was signed, in Iraq, at the framework-substantive, comprehensive stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. The agreement signed by the Iraqi Governing Council, came into effect on June 28, 2004, after the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred power to the Iraqis. It was to function as Iraq's provisional constitution until it superceded by the permanent Iraqi Constitution in May 2006, which was approved in October 2005. The Law contains provisions for; rights; political structure including executive and legislature; the judiciary; the special tribunal and national commissions; provisions for the sub-regions, governorates and municipalities and the road map for the transitional period.
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Interim Constitution introduced: Iraq 2004
March 8, 2004
In 2004 there was an interim constitution introduced, to replace the Constitution previously in place.
View more on this constitution on:
- Constitutes page for Iraq
Framework-substantive, partial Agreement: UN Security Council Resolution 1546
June 8, 2004
In June 2004 an interstate/mixed agreement was signed, in Iraq, at the framework-substantive, partial stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. The resolution was passed unanimously in the Security Council and formed the Iraqi Interim Government and ended the occupation of the multi-national force in Iraq.
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Implementation Agreement: Final Communiqué of International Ministerial Meeting of the Neighboring Countries of Iraq, The G8 and China
November 23, 2004
In November 2004 an interstate/mixed agreement was signed, in Iraq, at the implementation stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. UNSC Resolution affirms 12 points agreed International Ministerial Meeting on Iraq was convened in Sharm El Sheikh on November 23rd 2004, arranging for democratic elections and debt restructuring, among other points.
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New Constitution: Iraq 2005
October 15, 2005
In 2005 a new constitution was introduced in Iraq. The constitution was drafted by the Council of Representatives and approved by the Iraqi people in a referendum. This constitution details the way in which the constitution can be formally amended, however it holds some provisions that are expressed as unamendable. Additionally, the constitution includes transitional provisions that guide the transition from the previous system to the new, current constitutional order. The constitution provides for a range of rights and freedoms, including: the right to life, the right to privacy, the freedom of movement, freedom of opinion, freedom of expression or speech, the freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the freedom of association. Voting is addressed by the constitution, including the right to vote for all citizens and that voting in elections will take place in such a way that a citizen completes the ballot privately, and it cannot be connected to the voter. Additionally, it mentions that referenda to allow all citizens to vote for or against legislation can be proposed by one or more bodies of the government.
View more on this constitution on:
- The Constitute website
- Full-text PDF
- Constitutes page for Iraq
Framework-substantive, comprehensive Agreement: Constitution of Iraq
October 15, 2005
In October 2005 an intrastate agreement was signed, in Iraq, at the framework-substantive, comprehensive stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. More of a General Framework Agreement than a traditional legalistic constitution. The Constitution will sets forth a number of principles and themes that will guide the next Iraq Assembly, to be elected on Dec. 15, as it implements laws and regulations which find a proper place for Islam in a modern democratic state, protect human rights, especially those of women, and secure the autonomy of Kurdistan.
Does NOT provide for rotating presidencies, set-aside seats in parliament and the judiciary for specific ethnic groups, sectarian distribution of executive offices, or direct international participation in the governance of the state.
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Implementation Agreement: Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq
November 17, 2008
In November 2008 an interstate agreement was signed, in Iraq/United States of America, at the implementation stage of the Iraq peace process - second Iraq war. Agreement on the withdrawal of US Forces from the Republic of Iraq with the accompanying processes of transferring property rights to Iraqi Forces. Agreement also outlines the jurisdictions of the US and Iraqi authorities regarding US personnel, civilians working for US forces and 'Contractors'. Agreement is valid for one year from date of signing.
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Pre-negotiation Agreement: Agreement of the Principles to Join the "Task Force for Dialogue on the UNAMI Reports"
June 1, 2009
In June 2009 an intrastate agreement was signed, in Iraq/(Kurds-Kurdistan), at the pre-negotiation stage of the Kurdistan/Iraq territorial conflict. The representatives of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government have agreed to join the "Task Force for Dialogue on the UNAMI Reports." In joining the Task Force, the parties underscore the importance of resolving disputed internal boundaries and reconfirm a number of principles and follow up actions.
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Framework-substantive, partial Agreement: Erbil Agreement
November 7, 2010
In November 2010 an intrastate agreement was signed, in Iraq/(Kurds-Kurdistan), at the framework-substantive, partial stage of the Kurdistan/Iraq territorial conflict. Short agreement providing for substantial governmental reforms, encompassing the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Primary among them, the balance law seeks to provide some 'balance' between various government positions.
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Local Peace Agreement: Framework-substantive, partial - A Pact of Honor for the Tribes in Al-Ayadiyah Sub-District
August 9, 2018
In August 2018 a local agreement was signed in Al-Ayadiyah at the framework-substantive, partial stage of the Iraq Post-ISIS local agreements. The agreement is part of wider process aiming to prevent violence at the local level and addresses the need to establish a system of justice while seeking to comprehensively take apart the region's affiliations to Islamic State. Provisions address the overall need to create conditions of coexistence between communities and local and central government in Al-Ayadiyah, adopting inter-tribal dialogue consultations and setting out facilitation for return of internally displaced persons and reaffirming the rule of law. Substantively the agreement also includes provisions which address victims and the families of victims of acts by ISIS, calling for justice in accordance with state laws and traditional tribal laws. The agreement also has extensive provisions addressing extremist use of media to encourage violence.
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Amnesties
9
Constitutions
3
Coups d'etat
1
Elections
8
Local Agreements
1
Peace Agreements
11
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The following data sources were used to develop these timelines:
Bell, C., & Badanjak, S. (2019). Introducing PA-X: A new peace agreement database and dataset. Journal of Peace Research, 56(3), 452-466. Available at https://www.peaceagreements.org/
Chin, J. J., Carter, D. B., & Wright, J. G. (2021). The Varieties of Coups D’état: Introducing the Colpus Dataset. International Studies Quarterly, 65(4), 1040-1051.
Elkins, Zachary and Tom Ginsburg. 2022 “Characteristics of National Constitutions, Version 4.0.” Comparative Constitutions Project. Last modified: October 24, 2022. Available at comparativeconstitutionsproject.org
The National Elections across Democracy and Autocracy (NELDA) dataset: Hyde, S. D., & Marinov, N. (2012). Which elections can be lost? Political analysis, 20(2), 191-210.
Mallinder, L., (2020), Amnesties, Conflict and Peace Agreement (ACPA) Dataset. Available at https://www.peaceagreements.org/amnesties/