Political Obstacles Face Interrogation of Ministers

Iraq - Friday, July 10, 2009

The Integrity Committee of the Iraqi parliament announced that political and administrative obstacles block the continuation of interrogation government ministers suspected of corruption by parliament. Committee members, Alya Nasif, said that there is a process of encirclement of the parliament’s supervisory role through changing some articles of its bylaws, such as requiring consensus of the parliament’s office rather than the speaker alone to allow such interrogations. Another committee member said interrogations are proceeding slowly due to interventions by political parties to protect their ministries and prevent interrogations. However, both members said the Integrity Committee will continue its work despite difficulties, and it has scheduled interrogations for ministers of oil, transportation, health and housing in the near future.
Source: New Agencies, Al-Hayat.