UN envoy urges Iraq to reconsider death penalty

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The United Nations' special envoy urged Iraq to reconsider carrying out the first executions since the 2003 overthrow of former dictator Saddam Hussein.

Ashraf Qazi, special representative of UN secretary general Kofi Annan, said he "deeply regrets" the decision of an Iraqi government "in the process of transition" to reinstate the death penalty.

"One should look at consolidating the right to life instead of imposing the death penalty which has a very poor recognised effect in deterring crimes," Qazi said Saturday.

The United Nations said that Vice President Adel Abdel Mehdi had signed a decree on Wednesday authorising the execution of three men sentenced to death for kidnapping policemen and raping Iraqi women.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050820/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunexecute_050820110127

[Missy M]

1. The only thing that has been accomplished in Irag is..

death and destruction. Of course executions are right up bush's alley so he will back them on this. Has anything really changed since Hussein's overthrow.

[0007]

5. ...nothing has changed since Jesus walked around with his pals..

[Toots]

2. Before they even have a Constitution to spell out their laws they start

their new venture with Death. Lead by example they say. Death is what they want, death is sure to follow. I am fairly certain the US had a lot of input into this decision as well since we are the ONLY Westernized nation that still has the death penalty, yet for some unkown reason we have the highest homocide rates. Go figure :shrug:

[sabra]

3. UN pleads against Iraq executions

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4169586.stm

UN pleads against Iraq executions

Ashraf Qazi says Iraq should be consolidating the right to life
The Iraqi government should back away from executing three prisoners under the newly-reintroduced death penalty, says the UN representative in Iraq.
The three men are due to be executed in the central city of Kut in the next few days for murder, kidnap and rape.

They would be the first prisoners to be executed since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein two years ago.

The UN's Ashraf Qazi said he deeply regretted the reintroduction of the death penalty.

"One should look at consolidating the right to life instead of imposing the death penalty, which has a very poor recognised effect in deterring crimes," said Mr Qazi in a statement.

[mom cat]

4. What about US executions? Or does the UN know that it is hopeless

to try to quell the US thirst for blood and revenge?

[cal04]

6. Iraq urged not to resume executions

The United Nations representative in Iraq has urged the Iraqi Government to reconsider its decision to authorise the first executions since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. Three men convicted of kidnapping, killing and rape were sentenced to death last week.

In a statement the UN secretary-general special representative, Ashraf Qazi, says he deeply regrets the decision. He says in the process of transition it is going through, Iraq should look at consolidating the right to life, instead of imposing the death penalty. Mr Qazi says the death penalty is recognised as a very poor deterrent and urges the Government not to carry out the death sentences.

President Jalal Talabani has been a long standing opponent of the death penalty and handed over the signing of the death warrants to Vice-President, Adel Abdel Mehdi. A clear issue is whether any executions now will set a precedent for the trials of leaders of the former regime, including Saddam Hussein.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1442521.htm

[bluestateguy]

7. Shouldn't that be their decision?

This is an internal affair and none of the business of either the UN or American neo-cons.

[seriousstan]

8. Much like Islamic law.

[bribri16]

9. If they execute you can be sure there will be much more violence.

This is the Bush legacy and don't you ever forget it.