Iraq death penalty raises concerns (BAHHHARF ALERT)

latimes.com ^ | 4/21/7 | Tina Susman

[do the dhue]

BAGHDAD — The trial of Mohammed Munaf on charges of kidnapping three Romanian journalists in 2005 lasted about an hour, his lawyer said. And even though no witnesses testified, he said, the Iraqi-born U.S. citizen was sentenced to hang.

Munaf's case is under appeal and he has not been executed, but Amnesty International said Friday that about 100 convicts had been hanged since Iraq reinstated the death penalty three years ago, including many whose cases were rushed through the system without due process.

The London-based human rights group said the trend could lead to further brutalization of the war-torn nation, but the Iraqi government asserted that the executions were the best way to send the message that it was serious about ending violence.

"We're just shy of 100" hangings, said Bassam Ridha, a legal advisor to Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. "That's nothing compared to what these insurgents are doing to the Iraqi people."

On one day in February, 14 people were hanged across the country for crimes such as terrorism, murder and rape, Ridha said. Each day, he said, Iraqi citizens call his office to demand more executions, telling him that if the government executed more people, there might be more stability in Iraq.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians have died in shootings, bombings, mortar attacks and other violence linked to sectarian warfare since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. A U.S.-Iraqi security plan launched in mid-February has put thousands of additional troops on the ground, but the bloodshed continues.

[do the dhue]

[Lurker]

And even though no witnesses testified, he said,

I call bullsh**.

L

[endthematrix]

How many convicts did Saddam let free on the eve of the US invasion? What a humanitarian!

[Sleeping Beauty]

I’m sure, if they step it up in Iraq, the death penalty will be a real deterrent for those suicide bombers.

;-)

[do the dhue]

I’m sure, if they step it up in Iraq, the death penalty will be a real deterrent for those suicide bombers.

you may be right, but it might show the next suicide teacher what will happen to them. They don't have the guts to die, or they wouldn't be teaching. They would be dead.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

F@#k Shamnesty International. They are as legit as the UN and if they are bitching about something, it means we are doing, and in this case, the iraqis, are doing something right.

[do the dhue]

When it comes to the way the terrorist treat people and condemning the terrorist, I only hear crickets from shamnesty international (I liked that).

[do the dhue]

I like the spelling of shamnesty international that is!

[Dahoser]

It won’t be long before the State Department issues a statement expressing grave concern and urging the Iraqis to end the practice now.