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Execution of Saddam Hussein

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File:Hussein hangs.jpg
Saddam Hussein on the gallows
Source: Al Iraqiya Television

Former President of Iraq Saddam Hussein (April 28, 1937 – December 30, 2006) was executed by hanging for crimes against humanity following his trial and conviction for the murder of 143 Shi'as in the town of Dujail in 1982. He was also standing trial for the deaths of approximately 180,000 Kurds during the late 1980s; that trial is expected to continue against the remaining defendants.[1]

Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq from July 16, 1979 until April 9, 2003, when he was deposed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq by U.S.-led forces.

Time and place of execution

Saddam was executed at approximately 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on December 30, 2006 by hanging, as many Iraqis began celebrating Eid ul-Adha.[2][3][4] The execution took place at the Iraqi army base Camp Justice in Kazimain, a northeastern suburb of Baghdad and a base once used by Saddam as his military intelligence headquarters, then known as Camp Banzai, where Iraqi civilians were taken to be tortured and murdered in the same gallows.[5] Contrary to initial reports, Saddam was executed alone, and not at the same time as his co-defendants Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, who will be executed after the Eid ul-Adha festival.[5]

Execution proceedings

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The last legal step, before the execution proceeded, was for Saddam to be handed a red card. This was completed by an official of the court with details of the judgment and a notice that execution was imminent.[6] According to a senior Iraqi official, Saddam seemed "very calm and did not tremble" before his execution.[5] Though, some reports say he struggled slightly while being retrieved from his cell.[2] Iraq's national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, told Al-Arabiya television that Saddam refused to wear a black hood over his head and told him, "Don't be afraid."[7] The former president recited the Shahadah, or Muslim profession of faith, but made no other remark as policemen escorted him to the scaffold.[5]

There were no U.S. representatives present in the execution room.[7][8] David MacDougall has reported to Fox News several details of what went on immediately before Saddam's hanging based on reports he has been fed through an earpiece. He has stated that Saddam's behavior was "submissive" and that he was carrying the Qur'an he had been keeping with him through his trials prior to his execution. Mowaffak al Rubiae, Iraq's National Security adviser, who was a witness to Saddam's execution described Saddam as repeatedly shouting "down with Persians."[9] Sami al-Askari, a witness to the death, said, "Before the rope was put around his neck, Saddam shouted, 'God is great. The nation will be victorious and Palestine is Arab.'"[10] After the rope was secured, guards shouted, "Supporting his son, Muqtada! Muqtada! Muqtada!" in reference to Mohammed al-Sadr and his son Muqtada al-Sadr; Saddam repeated the name mockingly and denounced the guards.[11][12][13] He then recited the Shahadah again and was finishing another recitation when the platform dropped.[13][14] One source gives his final words as, "Down with the traitors, the Americans, the spies and the Persians,"[11] but this is not evident in the video footage.

Burial

Saddam Hussein was buried in his birthplace of Al-Awja in Tikrit, Iraq, alongside family members, including his two sons Uday and Qusay Hussein, on December 31 2006 at 04:00 local time (01:00 GMT).[15][16][17] Less than 24 hours after his death, Saddam was handed over from U.S. possession to Sheikh Ali al-Nida, head of the Albu Nasir tribe and governor of Salaheddin, to be buried.[15]

Saddam's eldest daughter Raghad Hussein, under asylum in Jordan, had asked that "his body be buried in Yemen temporarily until Iraq is liberated and it can be reburied in Iraq," a family spokesperson said by telephone.[18] It was also said by family that his body might be buried in Ramadi, citing safety concerns, though this is not the case.[15] The Iraqi government said they are not worried about political pilgrimage to his gravesite.[17]

Media coverage

File:Saddamdead.jpg
Saddam Hussein's body after his execution.

The primary source of this news was the TV station Al Arabiya. A scrolling headline read, "Saddam's execution marks the end of a dark period of Iraq's history." The BBC noted that a doctor, lawyer, and various officials were present, and a video recording of the execution was made.[3] Al Arabiya claims Saddam's lawyer has confirmed his death. The state-run Iraqi television news station Al Iraqiya has also confirmed Saddam's execution. An announcer said, "criminal Saddam was hanged to death."[19]

According to the BBC, Al Iraqiya stated that Saddam did not put up any resistance during the execution, and that footage of the event will most likely stop short of the actual execution.[3] CNN has shown video of the moments leading up to Saddam's execution. An amateur video shot using a cell phone from a staircase leading up to the noose has since surfaced, containing low-quality footage of the entire hanging.[14] Saddam's death was filmed in HDTV, but has not yet been released to the viewing public.[20]

BBC analysts noted that public reactions within Iraq are likely to remain unclear until after Eid morning prayers.[21]

Reaction

A spokeswoman for Saddam's daughters reported, "They felt very proud as they saw their father facing his executioners so bravely."[22]

Mariam al-Rayes, a legal expert and a former member of the Shia bloc in parliament, told Al Iraqiya television that the execution "was filmed and God willing it will be shown. There was one camera present, and a doctor was also present there."[3][19] Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said that Saddam Hussein does not represent any group or sect of the Iraqi people.[23]

Reuters' reporter based in Afghanistan cited a top Taliban commander saying the death of Saddam Hussein "...will boost the morale of Muslims. The jihad in Iraq will be intensified and attacks on invader forces will increase."[24]

Sheelan Talibani, an Iraqi Kurd who resides in the United Kingdom, expressed disapproval of the execution, as something inhumane even in this case.[25] The execution will also deny opportunity for trials for other cases, including the chemical weapons attacks on Halabja in 1988.[25] The Center of Halabja against Anfalization and Genocide of the Kurds (C.H.A.K.) disapproved of the execution, without having Saddam tried for other cases including the massacre of 8,000 Barzani Kurds in 1983, chemical attacks on Sardasht, the 1988 massacres on Anfal, and other crimes.[26] At the time of his execution, Saddam was on trial, facing charges of genocide at Anfal, which resulted in up to 100,000 deaths.[27]

Despite all of the celebrations, the United States' forces are braced for a backlash of violence in Iraq due to the execution. President George W. Bush has released a statement on the execution of Saddam's death and its place in the state of peace in Iraq, and stated his death will not end the violence in Iraq.[28] In Tikrit, Iraq, where Saddam will be buried, police have barred entrances to and departures from the city for four days as a safety precaution.[29]

Within Iraq

Politicians

In a statement, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said, "Justice, in the name of the people, has carried out the death sentence against the criminal Saddam, who faced his fate like all tyrants, frightened and terrified during a hard day which he did not expect."[22] He also stated, "Your generous and pure land has got rid—and for ever—of the filth of the dictator and a black page of Iraq's history has been turned and the tyrant has died."[30]

"[Iraqis] have been waiting for justice to be executed, and I think that Iraqis have received the news that they've been waiting for too many years," said Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein Shahristani.[30]

"The execution of Saddam Hussein is a big crime. Saddam Hussein was a prisoner of war and was arrested by the US forces, and not by the Iraqi government. It is a crime with which they wanted to cover up many things," a Sunni politician, Khalaf Al-Ulayyan said.[30]

"I don't think it will make much difference because the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that very drastic measures have to be taken to confront the militias and restore law and order. Of course, he has some supporters in Iraq—some of them are armed and they may commit acts of violence and so on—but I don't think it will make much difference, frankly," said Adnan Pachachi.[30]

"Of course, Saddam has committed too many crimes. He deserves for those crimes capital punishment. But so quickly done, so quickly executed... and only in one case—it would leave the other cases and leave a lot of secrets without being known," said an Iraqi Kurdish politician, Mahmoud Osman.[30]

"The world will know that Saddam Hussein lived honestly, died honestly, and maintained his principles. He did not lie when he declared his trial null," said Saddam's lawyers in a statement.[2]

Populace

"Now, he is in the garbage of history," said Jawad Abdul-Aziz, a civilian who lost his father, three brothers and 22 cousins because of Saddam.[2]

A 34-year-old candy storeowner in Baghdad, Haider Hamed, a Shiite who lost his uncle due to Saddam, commented, "He's gone, but our problems continue. We brought problems on ourselves after Saddam because we began fighting Shiite on Sunni and Sunni on Shiite."[31]

Ali Hamza, a professor in the Shiite town of Al Diwaniyah said, "Now all the victims’ families will be happy because Saddam got his just sentence."[2]

"The president, the leader Saddam Hussein is a martyr and God will put him along with other martyrs. Do not be sad nor complain because he has died the death of a holy warrior," said Sheik Yahya al-Attawi, a cleric at a mosque.[2]

Shias in Iraq celebrated the execution while some Sunni towns saw protests.[22][1][2] In Sadr City, Basra, and Najaf citizens danced in the streets and honked their car horns with jubilance. In Tikrit, Samarra, and Ramadi, however, there are reports of protests.[22]

According to reports from an official, there was dancing and Shia chants around Saddam's body after the execution took place.[7] Meanwhile, David MacDougall, a Fox News reporter located in Baghdad, has stated that there has been what is thought to be celebratory gunfire in Baghdad. However, the BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, John Simpson, indicated there had been no more gunfire than is normally heard on the city's streets. According to CNN, Fox News and the BBC, there have been celebrations in the United States in at least one location in Dearborn, Michigan, at the corner of Warren and Greenfield, a heavily Muslim and Iraqi-American community.

Several hours after the execution was reported, a car bomb exploded in a market in the Shi'ite town of Kufa in southern Iraq, resulting in at least 30 fatalities; another bomb in a busy market of Baghdad killed another 36.[32] It is unknown whether this is related to Saddam's execution.

Political leaders

Africa

  • Libya Libya: Muammar al-Gaddafi described Saddam's trial as illegitimate (باطلة). He said, as a prisoner of war, international conventions prohibit his trial. Qaddafi added that America and Britain must be put on trial in this matter.[33] Libya has declared three days of national mourning after the execution declaring Saddam a "prisoner of war." Flags were lowered to half-mast on public buildings and all festivities for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which begins this weekend, have been cancelled.[34]
  • South Africa South Africa: "South Africa remains convinced that his execution is not the panacea to the current political problems in Iraq, but could fuel violence in an already volatile situation," said Ronnie Mamoepa, the foreign affairs spokesman.[35]

Americas

  • Chile Chile: Chancellor (S) Alberto Van Klaveren on behalf of the Chilean government expressed rejection “for reasons of principles” the execution of ex-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and concern for the country's stability.[38]
  • Peru Peru: The Peruvian president, Alan García, expressed approval for the execution of Saddam Hussein: “He deserved the maximum sentence in his country” and was "guilty of genocide" for using chemical weapons against other peoples for their religion or their racial origin. However, García disagreed “with the fact that the trial was made in an occupied country. I don’t know if he was hanged for his crimes or just by the occupying forces.” [39]
  • United States United States: "Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself." – President George W. Bush.[40]

Asia

  • Afghanistan Afghanistan: "The execution of the former Iraqi president is the work of Iraq's government. We wish the Iraqi people prosperity, happiness and success. Eid is the day of happiness, the day of goodness, the day of reconciliation, not the day of revenge." – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai.
  • Cambodia Cambodia: Cambodia, still struggling to begin its own long-delayed trials for atrocities committed in the 1970s by the genocidal Khmer Rouge, said the execution should not have taken place. "Democracy has grown very much in Iraq, but in the end the death penalty still exists," information minister Khieu Kanharith said. "We do not support it because we have already abolished capital punishment. So we do not support the death penalty, but we support the process of finding justice for the people," he added.[41]
  • China People's Republic of China: China said Iraqi people should decide their affairs and hoped that the strife-torn nation can realize stability and development soon. [42]
  • India India: "We had already expressed the hope that the execution would not be carried out. We are disappointed that it has been." – Minister of external affairs Pranab Mukherjee.[43]
    • Indian National Congress, the left parties and the Samajwadi Party condemned the execution.[44]
    • K. Subrahmanyam, Head of the Indian government's task force on global strategic developments, attributed the Government's official reaction to "short-sighted vote bank politics and said that the execution "was by an Iraqi court for an Iraqi crime - for killing Iraqi Shias."
    • "Saddam deserved nothing less than death. The hanging should be seen as a victory for justice." — Mirza Mohammad Athar, President of the All India Shia Personal Law Board.[45]
  • Indonesia Indonesia: The government in the world's largest Muslim nation, Indonesia, said it hoped Saddam's execution "will not further separate conflicting parties in the effort toward a national reconciliation, which is a precondition in recovering Iraqi sovereignty."
    • Fauzan Al Anshori, from the Islamic group of Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia, said Bush, too, should stand trial. "Given the crime blamed on Saddam, it is unfair if George Bush is not also put on an international tribunal," he said. "Saddam was executed for killings 148 people, Shiite Muslims, while Bush is responsible for the killing of about 600,000 Iraqis since the March 2003 invasion."[46]
  • Iran Iran: "With regard to Saddam's execution, it amounts to a victory of the Iraqi people as they were the winners of his fall [...] Saddam's regime was overthrown because the Iraqi people did not support him. It is crystal clear that the United States should not misinterpret his fall and take the credit to itself. [...] Investigation into the Iraqi invasion in Iran (1980-1988) and in Kuwait (1990) could have disclosed the US involvement in Saddam's crimes and therefore the Americans preferred to close the case earlier."[47] - Deputy Foreign Minister Hamid Reza Asefi.
  • Israel Israel: "Saddam Hussein brought about his own demise. This was a man who caused a great deal of harm to his people and who was a major threat to Israel,"[34] said Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
  • Japan Japan: "We have acknowledged that the judgment has been made according to due process and pay respect to the legal procedures that the Iraqi government has taken. That said, what is most important in our view is to make this sentence not a new source of conflict but of reconciliation between the Iraqi people."[36] — Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tomohiko Taniguchi
  • Malaysia Malaysia: "The international community is not in favour of the hanging and questions the due process that took place. We are surprised that the hanging went ahead notwithstanding. I think there will be repercussions. This is not the answer" - Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar [48]
  • Pakistan Pakistan: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz termed execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a "sad incident" and hoped the security situation in the country would not be further exacerbated.[49]
    • Liaqat Baloch, a leader of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, a coalition of six religious parties, told The Associated Press by phone that Saddam had not received justice. "We have no sympathy with Saddam Hussein, but we will also say that he did not get justice. The execution of Saddam Hussein will further destabilize Iraq. There will be more sectarian violence in Iraq, and we believe that the execution of Saddam Hussein is part of the American plan to disintegrate Iraq," he added.[50]
  • State of Palestine Palestinian Authority: In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the execution of Saddam Hussein sent many Palestinians into mourning. Palestinians struggled to come to terms with the demise of their steadfast ally. In the West Bank town of Bethlehem locals opened a house of condolence, where dozens of people gathered to mourn Saddam. The organizers hung Iraqi flags, pictures of Hussein and played Iraqi revolutionary songs. [51]
    • Hamas: The ruling Hamas movement in the Palestinian territories called the execution of Saddam a "political assassination." A Hamas spokesman, Fawzi Barhum, said, "Saddam Hussein was a prisoner of war. [The] hanging ... is a political assassination that violates all international laws that are supposed to protect prisoners of war."[52]
  • Sri Lanka Sri Lanka: In Sri Lanka, a Muslim government minister also condemned the execution for offending Muslims around the start of Eid al-Adha. "As a Muslim, I feel the execution could have been avoided," said Hussein Bhaila, who declined to comment on the judgment against the former dictator. [53]
  • Thailand Thailand: Kitti Wasinondh, a spokesman at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "We are optimistic that it will not lead to any further violence." Former Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, a Muslim who served under the Democrat Party, said he expected the execution would increase tension in the war on terror because of Saddam's many followers.[41]

Europe

  • Europe European Union: European Commissioner for Development Aid Louis Michel stated that the execution of Saddam Hussein is against the fundamental principles of the European Union. The EU is against the death penalty, whatever are the crimes committed. "It is not a big day for democracy," Michel stated to the RTBF. "The EU is in fierce opposition to the death penalty and there is no exception to that fundamental principle. Cruelty is not to be answered with cruelty. I believe that there were other possible means to revenge the cruelties committed by Saddam. The death penalty is not the right answer." He fears that the execution of Saddam has a negative impact and that the former dictator will emerge as a martyr. "You don't fight barbarism with acts that I deem as barbaric. The death penalty is not compatible with democracy," he told Reuters.[54]
  • Austria Austria: "Austria has always campaigned against the impunity of people in the highest positions of political responsibility and supports the effort for an effective international penal jurisdiction. At the same time Austria rejects the death penalty as a matter of principle and stands for its worldwide abolition. This applies without exception and cruelty of the committed crime. Saddam Hussein's guilt in oppressing his own people, the assassination of political enemies and innocent civilians is undoubtedly documented. However, Austria's stance against the death penalty also applies in this case." - Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release [55]
  • Belgium Belgium: The Belgian Foreign Minister, Karel De Gucht, repeated his objection to the execution and death penalty in general. He also expressed the hope that the violence in Iraq would come to an end, now that the personification of the cruel regime had died. [56]
  • Denmark Denmark: The Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said that Denmark condemned the actions of Saddam Hussein, but did not support the capital punishment. "This has been pointed out to the Iraqi government on several occasions and this is also the reason we have not aided the Iraqi Special Tribunal against him," he said in a statement. Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller said to Danish television that he would rather seen that Saddam Hussein had been tried at an international tribunal.[57] [58]
  • Finland Finland: Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, replied that the European Union opposes capital punishment. "Even if there are no doubts that Saddam Hussein is guilty of very serious crimes against humanity, very serious comments have been made about the court process in Iraq." [59]
  •  France: "France calls upon all Iraqis to look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity. Now more than ever, the objective should be a return to full sovereignty and stability in Iraq. France, which like the rest of its European partners advocates the universal abolition of capital punishment, notes the execution of Saddam Hussein on Saturday. That decision was made by the people and the sovereign authorities of Iraq." — French Foreign Ministry [36]
  •  Germany: "Saddam Hussein was sentenced by an Iraqi court, and this verdict has been executed. We do respect this verdict. However, it is known, that the Federal Government of Germany is against capital punishment. On a day like this, my thoughts are foremost with the many innocent victims of Saddam Hussein. I do wish for the Iraqi people that it will find its way without violence and in peace." — German chancellor Angela Merkel [60]
    • "The federal government of Germany is against capital punishment, no matter where. However there is no doubt about the crimes of Saddam Hussein." — German Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gernot Erler [61]
  •  Greece: "As known, Greece, together with all member states of the European Union, has abolished the death penalty. The execution of dictator Saddam Hussein is one more dramatic moment added to the troubled history of Iraq. We hope that it is the last. We wish and hope the friendly Iraqi people will follow the route to reconciliation and ethnic unanimity. The only route that can lead to a peaceful, secure and democratic future." Dora Bakoyannis, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs [62]
  • Iceland Iceland: Minister of foreign affairs said that the Iraqi court was legal, and that the Icelandic government accepted the sentence, however that the government of Iceland was opposed to death penalty. Additionally, he stated that all political party leaders in Iceland were afraid of the execution's consequences.[63]
  • Republic of Ireland Ireland: "We have to accept the right of the Iraqi judiciary to hand down a sentence. Ireland however, in common with its EU partners, does not approve of capital punishment. I believe Saddam Hussein should have ended his years behind bars for his heinous crimes." - Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern[64]
  • Italy Italy: "Italy is against the death penalty and so even in such a dramatic case as Saddam Hussein, we still think that the death penalty must not be put into action." - Prime Minister Romano Prodi[48]
  • Netherlands Netherlands: "It's understandable that Saddam Hussein received the most severe punishment under Iraqi law. Nevertheless, we are opposed to the death penalty, which is inhumane and barbaric; even in Hussein's case, the sentence should not have been carried out." [65] — Deputy Prime Minister Gerrit Zalm
  • Norway Norway: The Norwegian foreign minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that Norway regrets that the execution was carried out, and that the execution does not solve the political problems of Iraq. However, "it is important that Iraq's former dictator was tried and condemned for some of his crimes against humanity. It would be desirable that the remaining crimes that he committed also be tried in court. At the same time Norway opposes the use of the death penalty in principle, and therefore regrets the execution of Saddam Hussein."[66], [67]
  • Portugal Portugal: "The Portuguese Government reaffirms its total opposition to death penalty in all cases and circumstances."[68]
  • Russia Russia: "Regrettably, repeated calls by representatives of various nations and international organizations to the Iraqi authorities to refrain from capital punishment were not heard. Saddam Hussein's execution can lead to further aggravation of the military and political situation and the growth of ethnic and confessional tensions."[69] — Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin
  • Serbia Serbia: "We have seen that the situation in Iraq is chaotic. I am afraid this might cause even worse consequences. Serbia strongly objects to the death penalty. Calls against execution made by non-governmental organization such as Amnesty International should have been accepted"[70] — Minister of Justice Zoran Stojković
  • Sweden Sweden: "Sweden and the European Union are without exception against the death penalty. I have earlier expressed the wish for the death sentence of Saddam Hussein being commuted to life in prison."[71] — Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt
  • Switzerland Switzerland: "Saddam Hussein was a criminal, but the DFA disapproves of his execution. ... Switzerland advocates the abolition of the death penalty in the context of both its multilateral and in its bilateral diplomacy."[72] — Federal Department of Foreign Affairs press release
  • United Kingdom United Kingdom: "I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account [...] The British government does not support the use of the death penalty, in Iraq or anywhere else [...] We have made our position very clear to the Iraqi authorities, but we respect their decision as that of a sovereign nation."[73] — Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett

Oceania

  • Australia Australia: "I believe there is something quite heroic about a country that is going through the pain and the suffering that Iraq is going through, yet still extends due process to somebody who was a tyrant and brutal suppressor and murderer of his people. That is the mark of a country that is trying against fearful odds to embrace democracy."[75] — Prime Minister John Howard
    • "The people of Iraq now know that their brutal dictator will never come back to lead them. While many will continue to grieve over their personal loss under his rule, his death marks an important step in consigning his tyrannical regime to the judgment of history and pursuing a process of reconciliation now and in the future."[34] — Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
    • "Labor has a universal position of opposition to the death penalty both at home and abroad. [[..]] It is not possible in our view to be selective in the application of this policy."[76] — Leader of the Opposition Kevin Rudd
  • New Zealand New Zealand: "New Zealand does not support the death penalty as a matter of principle. We acknowledge, however, that Saddam Hussein’s execution occurred within the framework of Iraqi law, and as a response to his crimes against humanity. New Zealand regarded the guilty verdict as appropriate. The task now is for the people of Iraq to look forward and work for a stable unified Iraqi nation."[77] - Minister Trevor Mallard

Non-governmental organizations

  • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: "All sections of Iraqi society, as well as the wider international community, have an interest in ensuring that a death sentence provided for in Iraqi law is only imposed following a trial and appeal process that is, and is legitimately seen as, fair, credible and impartial. That is especially so in a case as exceptional as this one."[48] – High Commissioner Louise Arbour.
  • Human Rights Watch: "Saddam Hussein was responsible for massive human rights violations, but that can't justify giving him the death penalty, which is a cruel and inhuman punishment."[78] "History will judge the deeply flawed Dujail trial and this execution harshly."[48] – Director Richard Dicker.
  • Amnesty International USA: "The rushed execution of Saddam Hussein is simply wrong. It signifies justice denied for countless victims who endured unspeakable suffering during his regime, and now have been denied their right to see justice served." – Executive Director Larry Cox.[36][79]
  • International Federation of Human Rights: "This death sentence will generate more violence and deepen the cycle of killing for revenge in Iraq. It is primarily a settling of old scores rather than any attempt at a just sentence; the whole process is an affront to the dignity and the rights of victims" – President Sidiki Kaba.[80]

Criticism

Saddam's lawyers have stated that they believe that the trial was unfair, calling the trial "political assassination," and will continue to "[use] all legal paths available locally and internationally until public opinion gets the truth..."[81]

Human Rights Watch issued a statement claiming the "execution follows a flawed trial and marks a significant step away from the rule of law in Iraq."[78] Amnesty International also released a statement saying it "opposed the death penalty in all circumstances but it was especially egregious when this ultimate punishment is imposed after an unfair trial."[82] The International Federation of Human Rights released a statement on December 27, two days before Saddam's death, calling "upon Iraq's Head of State to ensure a moratorium on the death sentence pronounced against Saddam Hussein." The organization also claimed Saddam should be treated as a prisoner of war and receive the rights of one, according to the Geneva conventions. [83]

Other notes

Lawyers for Saddam Hussein sought unsuccessfully to block his transfer from U.S. custody to the custody of Iraqi officials in court documents filed on the afternoon of December 29 at a federal court in Washington D.C.[84]

References

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  42. ^ Iraqi affairs should be decided by Iraqis: China, The Hindu, December 30, 2006
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  54. ^ "Louis Michel vindt executie Saddam in strijd met basisprincipe EU". Kanaal Z (in Dutch). 2006-12-30.
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