UN urges Iraq to implement a moratorium on executions

GENEVA / BAGHDAD 6 May 2009 – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) on Wednesday expressed their concern at the resumption of the execution of the death penalty in Iraq.

Twelve people were hanged in Baghdad on Sunday, 3 May. It is believed a further 115 prisoners are at risk of being executed in the near future.

OHCHR and UNAMI are concerned that, at present, the Iraqi justice system does not guarantee sufficient fair trial procedures in accordance with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iraq is a state party. It is of particular concern that the prohibition of the use of evidence – including confessions – gathered under duress or torture, and the right not to be compelled to testify against oneself or to confess guilt, are often violated in Iraq, rendering the imposition of the death penalty arbitrary.

Under international law, the death penalty may only be applied in a very strictly defined set of circumstances. One of these is that a death sentence can only be imposed after a fair trial in which the minimum standards laid down by Article 14 of the Covenant have been respected. An execution arising from a trial at which these standards have not been observed constitutes a violation of the right to life under Article 6 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The OHCHR advocates the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances and has recommended that the Iraqi Government consider formally establishing a moratorium on the death penalty pending a thorough review of the Iraqi Penal Code and the Law on Criminal Proceedings, in accordance with UN General Assembly resolution 62/149. It is a matter of regret that, after a year and half of non-application of the death penalty, executions have resumed.

OHCHR and UNAMI stand ready to assist the Government of Iraq in reviewing relevant domestic legislation in the light of international standards and Iraq’s international obligations.

Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN urges Iraq to implement a moratorium on executions

United Nations bodies positions and opinions

• 19.04.2013 - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns multiple executions in Iraq as "obscene"
• 25.02.2013 - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Massive human rights violations in Iraq
• 19.12.2012 - United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Serious human rights problems remain in Iraq
• 19.12.2012 - Responding to human rights report, UN official calls on Iraq to end executions
• 31.08.2012 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Press briefing on executions in Iraq
• 30.08.2012 - UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions strongly condemns ongoing executions, reiterates call to halt them
• 27.07.2012 - UN Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions calls for immediate halt to executions and surrounding secrecy in Iraq
• 30.05.2012 - UN report: Human rights situation in Iraq still raising serious concerns
• 24.01.2012 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Iraq’s execution of 34 individuals in a single day
• 08.08.2011 - UN Assistance Mission for Iraq: armed violence and “silent” human rights violations continue to affect large sectors of the population
• 08.07.2011 - UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries: caution on security contractors in Iraq
• 07.06.2011 - UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights urges stronger action to protect Iraqi civilians
• 15.04.2011 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Iraqi operation that led to 34 deaths, calls for inquiry
• 26.10.2010 - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Wikileaks, Serious breaches of international human rights law have occurred in Iraq
• 07.01.2009 - UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries say that the Nissour Square killings in Iraq should not remain unpunished
• 25.11.2008 - UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women: Violence against Iraqi women continues unabated

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