Free Republic

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. She also called for the rights of defendants to a fair appeal to be “fully respected”. “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...

BAGHDAD, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The judge presiding over the trial of Saddam Hussein and seven others on charges of crimes against humanity ejected former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark from the court on Sunday for insulting the tribunal. Clark, who heads an international team of lawyers involved in the defence, was ejected at the start of a hearing at which Saddam and two aides were convicted and sentenced to death. The judge, Raouf Abdul Rahman, ejected Clark because he had sent a memo to Abdul Rahman including the accusation that the tribunal was making "a mockery of justice". The...

The UN on Sunday criticized the decision to sentence Saddam Hussein to death, calling upon local authorities to refuse the to hang the ex-leader. UN Human Rights Commission head Louise Arbour said that the "appeal process is reliable and a vital part of the fair judicial procedure." Army Radio reported. She said that "the results of the appeal will what they will be," and Arbour expressed hope that the Iraqi government would suspend its death sentence.

Two days ago,those who suffer from Bush Derangement Syndrome began griping that the verdict in Saddam Hussein's trial for crimes against his own people was being timed to affect US elections - a charge echoed (if not originated by) Saddam's Counsel. Who are these "useful idiots" ?