Resources > Iraq's Constitution

Previously unpublished drafts

Zip file (38MB)

This file makes available to the public for the first time a large number of drafts that were prepared by drafters and other officials in 2005 when the constitution was negotiated and drafted.  The Arabic originals were given to Zaid Al-Ali as they were prepared throughout 2005; the English translations were either prepared by Zaid, or widely circulated in Iraq and abroad by the media or other sources at the time.  The study of these drafts makes up the backbone of the conclusions reached by Zaid on the manner in which the constitution was drafted, which are set out in Chapter 3 of his book.  In summary, the drafts clearly show how the substance of what was being negotiated dramatically changed direction in August 2005 when the constitutional committee (the official body that was charged with drafting the constitution) was dissolved and replaced by the Leadership Council (an informal and unrepresentative body, whose membership is still unclear and who had the support of the US embassy in Baghdad).  Full details are set out in Chapter 3 of the book.