Implementation of International Law on the Protection of Wetlands in the Legislation of the Republic of Iraq

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The swamps of Iraq are of great ecological, historical and cultural significance, however, a number of political, economic and anthropogenic reasons have caused the problem of draining the swamps, which negatively affects the economy and social sphere of the Republic of Iraq. The purpose of the article is to identify and scientifically analyze problematic issues of determining the status of Iraq's swamps as protected natural areas, within the framework of Iraq's implementation of international norms on the protection of wetlands.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research materials included international conventions and other sources of international environmental law, documents of the UN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, acts of the government and ministries of Iraq and others. To reveal the theoretical aspects of the issues under consideration, a system-structural approach, generalization, deduction, methods of scientific abstraction, logical and system analysis were used. Special research methods were also used: historical-legal, comparative-legal and formal-legal.

RESEARCH RESULTS. As part of this publication, the authors analyzed the problems of the legal status of wetlands in Iraq, identified shortcomings in domestic legal regulation and ways to further implement international norms on the protection of wetlands.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Based on the results of the study, it was established that the international community and the government of Iraq are taking measures to protect the swamps and determine their status as protected natural areas. Proposals for further implementation by the Republic of Iraq of international norms on the protection of wetlands in its legal and institutional components are substantiated.