Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UN expert 'alarmed' by imminent wave of executions in Iraq

 

Ap
Friday 27 July 2012 14:17 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A UN human rights expert is calling on the Iraqi government to halt what he says is the possible imminent execution of up to 196 death row inmates in Anbar province.

The UN investigator on arbitrary executions said in a statement Friday that the execution of so many people in a single province was "extremely disturbing" and might breach international law.

Christof Heyns says capital punishment may only be used under tightly limited circumstances and accuses Iraq of "regrettable lack of transparency in the use of the death penalty."

He urged Iraq to disclose information on the number of executions carried out, the identity of death row prisoners, the charges and judicial proceedings against them, and the outcome of the review of their cases.

According to Amnesty International Iraq carried out 68 executions last year.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in