Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court on Wednesday defended its authority, stating that the Iraqi constitution stipulates that its rulings are “final and binding for all authorities.” The move came after the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq had earlier in the day argued that the court’s suspension of

Iraq’s top court suspended implementation Tuesday of three controversial bills passed last month by the country’s parliament, including a measure that activists said undermines women’s rights. A number of members of parliament filed a complaint alleging that the voting process was illegal because all three bills — each supported by different blocs — were voted on last month together rather than each one being voted on separately.

Iraq’s highest court has temporarily suspended the enforcement of three contentious laws passed by parliament last month, including a measure that activists argue erodes women’s rights. The Federal Supreme Court issued a ruling on Tuesday stopping the implementation of the bills pending a legal challenge over the parliamentary voting process.