GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 31st Jan. UN human rights experts on Tuesday expressed deep concern over reports that Iraqi authorities have begun carrying out mass executions within the prison system, ina press release issued in New York .
The experts highlighted that over 250 prisoners were facing imminent execution amid an accelerated enforcement of detainees’ sentences by the government, the release said
“We are shocked to hear that unannounced mass executions are taking place in Iraqi prisons in Nasiriyah Central Prison, where at least 13 people were recently executed on the same day and hundreds of others are at risk of imminent execution,” the experts said/
They noted reliable reports that an “execution list” has been approved.
The experts voiced deep concern about the “secretive nature” of the death penalty implementation, emphasizing the need for transparency in such cases.
They urged Iraq to publish full information each year on executions, including on those sentenced to death and the number of executions.
Rights experts reiterated prior concerns about Iraq’s Anti-Terrorism Law No. 13 (2005), noted its vague definition of terrorism and the potential for arbitrary accusations.
They called on the government to immediately halt all planned executions and to consider clemency and the commutation of sentences as a vital step towards complete abolition of the death penalty.
