Iraqi parliament bans alcohol, opponents to appeal ‘unconstitutional’ measure

‘The Iraqi parliament has passed a new law banning all production, import, and sale of alcohol – a measure alienating minorities, the country’s Christian community in particular.
The law, which was passed late on Saturday, subjects violators to fines between 10 million and 25 million dinars (roughly $8,000 to $20,000). The measure, which was added to a larger bill called the Imports of Municipalities Act at last-minute, caught some observers off-guard, as it had been little discussed by MPs. Opponents say the prohibition violates the rights of non-Muslims, which is guaranteed by Article 2 of the Constitution.
“A law was passed today and article 14 of that law bans the import, production and sale of all kinds of alcohol,” Christian MP Yonadam Kanna told AFP. “This article of the law goes against the constitution, which guarantees the freedoms of minorities,” he stressed.’
Read more: Iraqi parliament bans alcohol, opponents to appeal ‘unconstitutional’ measure