An amendment to the nationality law in Iraq has drawn criticism over “dangerous flaws” in the draft that suggests granting the Iraqi nationality to foreigners who have lived in the country for just one year. The government submitted to draft to parliament last week, sparking a wave of fierce popular and political criticism. Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the draft. Veteran former lawmaker Hassan al-Alawi launched a scathing attack against the government and those behind the amendment, accusing them of “betraying Iraq.” “Everyone who helped draft and supported this law is not Iraqi. They are foreign agents and traitors, who agree to selling their country,” he charged in statements that were widely circulated on social media. “What kind of state grants its nationality to an individual who has lived there for one year?” he wondered. He warned of attempts to alter the demographics in Baghdad should the amendments be approved. MP Ammar Tohme echoed these concerns, telling Asharq Al-Awsat that the amendment has “dangerous flaws,” noting that foreigners displaced in Iraq could obtain the nationality after just one year spent in the country. The law allows people born outside Iraq to non-Iraqi parents to obtain the nationality after spending one year in the country. The parliamentary security and defense committee vowed that it will not approve a law that “violates the Iraqi nationality.” Committee Adnan al-Assadi listed some of its flaws, such as allowing the president to grant the nationality to whomever he deems fit after they spent a year in Iraq. The Interior Minister would also be given the authority to grant the nationality to anyone who has resided in the country for five consecutive years.