 UN human rights chief Louise Arbour today called for a moratorium on executions after former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court.
| Does that apply to the Baathists who're running around Iraq cutting people's heads off and blowing up grocery stores? Or does it only apply to the dictators who arranged it? |
She also called for the rights of defendants to a fair appeal to be “fully respected”.
| I demand the same right of appeal for the victims of IEDs. |
“A credible appeals process is an essential part of fair-trial guarantees,” she said in a statement. “This is particularly important in this instance, in which the death penalty has been imposed. Those convicted today should have every opportunity to exhaust their appellate remedies in a fair way, and whatever the outcome of an appeal, I hope the government will observe a moratorium on executions.”
| "The life of every dictator is precious!" |
“Guaranteeing the right of a fair trial of persons accused of major human rights violations is key to consolidating and strengthening the very important process of ensuring justice and countering impunity that Iraq has embarked upon.”
| Ummm... Guaranteeing impunity is a method of countering impunity? That's a new one on me. |
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