BBC: UN urges stay of Iraq executions

[Eugene]

Last Updated: Sunday, 7 January 2007, 01:40 GMT

UN urges stay of Iraq executions

New UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged Iraq to suspend the execution
of two of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's co-defendants.

His appeal comes amid growing international criticism of the handling of Saddam
Hussein's hanging, at which he was taunted and filmed.

Mr Ban was criticised this week for failing to state the UN's policy of opposing
the death penalty.

Saddam Hussein's intelligence chief and chief judge are also due to be hanged.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6238287.stm

[Eugene]

1. Reuters: No date set for execution of top Saddam aides (again)

No date set for execution of top Saddam aides
07 Jan 2007 04:40:18 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, Jan 7 (Reuters) - No date has been set for the hanging of Saddam Hussein's
half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al- Tikriti and former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bander,
two senior Iraqi officials said on Sunday.

There had been reports the two, convicted along with Saddam for crimes against
humanity in the killing of 148 Shi'ites from Dujail in the 1980s, could be executed
as early as Sunday, the first working day after the Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday in
Iraq.

But Sami al-Askari, adviser to Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki, said he did not expect
Barzan and Bander to be hanged on Sunday. "I don't know the exact date," said
al-Askari.

A source in the prosecution, which by law has to have a representative present at the
execution, also said no date had been set yet. The source declined to be identified.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PAR715467.htm

[ellisonz]

2. Good call by the new UN Secretary.

He's looking promising...

B-)

[Briar]

3. After last week's blunder

he needs to pull his socks up fast. I wonder what the UK will say about this... Will Bliar back Ban's call?

[ellisonz]

4. Missed what happened last week...

got a link?

[Eugene]

6. Ban seemed to justify Saddam's execution when asked about it.

He also said, "The issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state
to decide," even though the United Nations opposes the death penalty.

New U.N. Chief's Death Penalty Flap - AP
Ban Ki-moon places 'own nuance' on death penalty policy - CBC News

[ellisonz]

8. Thanks. Your post contextualizes the article for all.

:hi:

[leesa]

5. So why was the UN silent during that kangeroo trial?

[Briar]

7. Ultimately

the UN is restricted to what its Security Council will permit it to do - specifically the permanent five. Criticising anything the US has organised and licensed is problematical. Which probably explains why both Ban, and the British Government, have been tying themselves in hypocritical knots about the execution too.

At least Italy is clear about what it believes in this respect.