Passport Forgery Crime

Abstract

The necessity of traveling from one country to another and the ease of transportation that the world is witnessing today have led societies to rely on this identification document called the passport, which is issued by countries according to the law. Through it, the holder's mission is facilitated in accordance with the principle of reciprocity and international custom, for ease of movement and travel, which is considered a fundamental human right guaranteed by international declarations, covenants, agreements, protocols, and domestic constitutions. The passport also serves as a person's identity and proof of belonging and nationality when traveling from one country to another. It is a document recognized in all countries of the world and has been established by security systems for the entry and exit of people from one country to another through various ports of entry, whether land, air, or sea. Since the passport, like other official documents, is subject to illegal use, Iraqi legislation has criminalized its forgery. This research falls within the scope of specific legislation, namely passport laws and general penal legislation. Therefore, the Iraqi Passport Law No. (32) of 2015, Passport Law No. (32) of 1999, and Passport Regulation No. (2) of 2009, along with the amended Penal Code No. (111) of 1969 and the amended Code of Criminal Procedure No. (23) of 1971, form the basis of this study.

I will address the crime of passport forgery in two sections, preceded by an introduction. The first section will be dedicated to defining the crime of passport forgery, while the second section will focus on the elements of the crime and its penalties.