The Functions of the Standing Committees in Iraq and Iran

Abstract

Standing committees constitute the technical cornerstone of parliamentary efficacy, playing a pivotal role in reviewing legislative proposals and exercising specialized political oversight. This comparative study analyzes the legal and functional nature of the competences vested in the standing parliamentary committees within both the Iraqi and Iranian systems, highlighting the procedural and institutional differences and commonalities between the Iraqi Council of Representatives and the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) of Iran. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical comparative methodology, this research deconstructs the detailed legislative powers and oversight mechanisms—ranging from interpellation and questioning to the examination of audit reports—while delineating the scope of discretion granted to these committees under their respective constitutional and internal bylaws. The study concludes that the effectiveness of standing committees is intrinsically linked to their technical independence and the precision of their legal mandates, necessitating updated procedural frameworks to enhance legislative drafting and modernize constitutional oversight mechanisms in both nations.

The question is: What is the legal analysis of the standing committees in the Iraqi and Iranian parliaments? Sub-questions: 1. What are the jurisdictions, types, and readiness of the standing committees in Iraq and Iran? 2. What is the legal framework governing the legislative and oversight processes of the standing committees in Iraq and Iran?

This study employs a descriptive, analytical, and comparative research methodology to examine and analyze the laws and constitutions and their articles pertaining to the standing committees in the Iraqi and Iranian parliaments. It is a legal analysis conducted using precise criteria and rules closely linked to the core of the research problem. This analysis compares the actual application of the law within the framework of legal policy, aiming to achieve practical benefits for both Iraqi and Iranian law.