[1] It came into effect on June 28, 2004 following the official transfer of power from the Coalition Provisional Authority (a division of the United States Department of Defense) to a sovereign Iraqi government.
The law remained in effect until the formation of the government in May 2006, when it was superseded by the permanent constitution that had been approved by referendum on October 15, 2005.
The preamble begins: The people of Iraq, striving to reclaim their freedom, which was usurped by the previous tyrannical regime, rejecting violence and coercion in all their forms, and particularly when used as instruments of governance, have determined that they shall hereafter remain a free people governed under the rule of law.And contains further, ...affirming today their respect for international law, ... working to reclaim their legitimate place among nations,... have endeavored at the same time to preserve the unity of their homeland.Article 2 provides for an Annex to this document, which was issued by the interim Governing Council on 1 June 2004, before the beginning of the transitional period.
Supporters lauded the constitution's guarantees of "fundamental rights": A lengthy provision emphasizes that police, investigators, or other governmental authorities may not violate the "sanctity of private residences."
Revolutionary Command Council Decree 666, which in 1980 banned citizenship in Iraq for Ajam, Iraqis of Persian origin, is explicitly annulled.
The Assembly is the chief lawmaking organ, and is required to propose and pass bills in order to make law for the country.
The Transitional Administrative Law spelled out the steps to be taken after the transfer of sovereignty to the writing and enactment of a permanent constitution.
This provision was criticized by Ayatollah Al-Sistani on the grounds that it could lead to civil war if voters in the three majority Sunni Muslim governorates reject it.
The constitution also establishes several "National Commissions" to investigate and address recent concerns such as human rights and war crimes.