U.N. Officials Question Iraq's Rough Justice
Haider Rizvi, Electronic Iraq (Jan 16, 2007)
The U.S.-backed government in Baghdad is facing harsh criticism from the international community for ignoring calls to adopt a policy of restraint with regard to carrying out death sentences against the members of Iraq's former ruling party. Reacting to the hanging of Saddam Hussein's two close aides Monday, senior U.N. officials and human rights organizations warned that the government must end its policy of executions, which they see as serious violation of international human rights standards. "Those responsible for serious human rights violations must be brought to justice," said Louise Arbour, the top U.N. official for human rights. "But to be credible and durable, the fight against impunity must be based on respect for international human rights standards."
Execution of Saddam Hussein aides is a further slide into errors of the past
Statement, Amnesty International (Jan 15, 2007)
Amnesty International today condemned the executions of Saddam Hussein's half-brother and the former head of Iraq's revolutionary court as a brutal violation of the right to life and a further lost opportunity for Iraqis to properly hold to account those responsible for the crimes committed under Saddam Hussein's rule.
More Hangings Would Further Jeopardize Respect for Rule of Law
Statement, Human Rights Watch (Jan 8, 2007)
The planned executions of two senior Ba`ath Party officials convicted in the unfair Dujail trial, coming on the heels of widening international criticism of Saddam Hussein's hanging, highlight the Iraqi government's disturbing disregard for human rights and the rule of law, Human Rights Watch said today.
Amnesty International deplores execution of Saddam Hussein
Statement, Amnesty International (Dec 31, 2006)
Amnesty International deplored the execution of Saddam Hussein following the confirmation of his sentence by the Iraqi Appeals Court on 26 December 2006.
The organization, which totally opposes the use of the death penalty, said it was concerned that the Iraqi Appeals Court had failed to address the major flaws during the former dictator's trial before the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal which had rendered it unfair.
Appeals Chamber Should Review Flawed Hussein Verdict
Statement, Human Rights Watch (Dec 27, 2006)
The Iraqi government should not implement the death sentence against Saddam Hussein, which was imposed after a deeply flawed trial for crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch said today. The Appeals Chamber of the Iraqi High Tribunal, which was first reported by Iraq's national security adviser to have upheld the sentence, should have conducted a thorough legal review of the verdict and then announced its findings, Human Rights Watch said.
More executions "no remedy" for worsening security
Report, Amnesty International (Dec 21, 2006)
Amnesty International is greatly concerned by a new surge in executions in Iraq, despite calls by the international community for Iraq to abolish the death penalty. On 19 December, the Iraqi Prime Minister's office announced that a further 13 prisoners had been executed, making 2006 the year with the highest number of executions since Iraq reinstated the death penalty in 2004. At least 60 people have been executed in Iraq since the authorities resumed executions in September 2005, with some 53 reported to have been executed since the beginning of this year.
Palestinian refugees living in Iraq say there is increasing fear in their community after a recent attack on a predominantly Palestinian Baghdad neighbourhood left nine people dead and several injured, including children. "We are getting worried about our situation in Iraq. We cannot leave the country because the borders are closed to us and the government doesn't give us any hope that it can increase our security," said Ahmed Muffitlak, spokesman for the Baghdad-based Palestinian Muslims Association (PMA). On 13 December, local militia attacked the al-Baladiya district of the capital, where hundreds of Palestinians have lived for years.
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