The story: Iraq’s parliament has approved divisive amendments to the country’s personal status and general amnesty laws. A property restitution law was also passed in the same parliamentary session, leading critics to decry effective horse-trading between ethnosectarian blocs. Activists and civil society groups also warn of dire consequences for women’s rights and the fight against corruption. 

The coverage: The voting on the three pieces of legislation ‘’in one basket’’ on Jan. 21 has led critics to allege...