URGENT ACTION APPEAL
---------------------------------- 9 November 2004 UA 300/04 Imminent Execution IRAQ 10 people, names unknown Ten people have reportedly been sentenced to death by Iraqi courts and are thought to be at imminent risk of execution. The names of the 10 individuals and the charges against them are not known, but they are said to have been sentenced in connection with ''criminal activities''. The death sentences were upheld by an appeal court, and are reportedly with Iraqi President Ghazi al-Yawar and Prime Minister Dr. Iyad 'Allawi for ratification. The reintroduction of the death penalty on 8 August was said by the country's authorities to be a response to a deteriorating security situation. The state of emergency declared within Iraq on 7 November was described in a similar manner, raising fears that the 10 individuals are at imminent risk of execution. Amnesty International strongly believes that, as with the reintroduction of the death penalty, the resumption of executions will do nothing to restore security for the people of Iraq. The death penalty, a cruel and inhuman punishment, has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than any other method. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The former Iraqi government frequently resorted to the use of the death penalty. Following the invasion of Iraq by a US-led coalition in March 2003, the death penalty was suspended by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in June 2003. On 28 June 2004 power was transferred to an Iraqi interim government led by Prime Minister Iyad 'Allawi, a former exile. On 8 August, the interim government reinstated the death penalty for certain crimes such as murder, drug trafficking and kidnapping. Although the authorities justified the reimposition of the death penalty as a measure to deal with the deteriorating security situation, there are indications that this was done reluctantly and that some Iraqi officials opposed its use. For example the Human Rights Minister, Bakhtiar Amin, who is on the record of opposing the death penalty, is said to have declared, ''this is the most difficult day of my life''. On 7 November a 60-day state of emergency was declared throughout Iraq except in the Kurdish controlled areas of northern Iraq. This came as a consequence of a serious security situation that has seen widespread bomb and suicide attacks killing scores of members of security forces and civilians. Amnesty International deplores the re-imposition of the death penalty in Iraq, and has repeatedly raised its concerns with Iraqi authorities, including in submissions to the Iraqi Minister of Human Rights and Minister of Justice. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: - expressing concern that 10 people are reported to have been sentenced to death in Iraq, and urging that their sentences be commuted; - requesting that the full names of the 10 people and the charges against them are made public; - acknowledging the seriousness of the security situation, but pointing out that the death penalty has never proved to be an effective deterrent to combat crime, and calling for the death penalty to be abolished in law and practice. APPEALS TO: Fax numbers and e-mail addresses for the Iraqi authorities are not available. Please send appeals via the Iraqi embassy, asking them to forward your appeals to: - Ghazi al-Yawar, President of the Republic of Iraq - Dr. Iyad 'Allawi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq - Bakhtiar Amin, Human Rights Minister Ambassador Embassy of Iraq 1801 P St. NW Washington DC 20036 Fax: 1 202 462 5066 Please send appeals immediately. Check with the Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after December 21, 2004. Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights. This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal. Urgent Action Network Amnesty International USA PO Box 1270 Nederland CO 80466-1270 Email: [email protected] http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/ Phone: 303 258 1170 Fax: 303 258 7881 ---------------------------------- END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL ----------------------------------
