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| Iraq |
| As violence surges, Iraq executes 11 'terror' convicts |
| 2013-11-27 |
| [Pak Daily Times] Iraq announced on Tuesday the execution of 11 more convicted "terrorists" amid surging violence that has fuelled fears the country is slipping back into all-out sectarian war just months before elections. The latest executions bring to 162 the number of those put to death so far this year and as violence this month killed more than 500 people while authorities grapple with the worst bloodshed since 2008. Officials have voiced concern over a resurgent Al-Qaeda emboldened by the civil war in neighbouring Syria and have appealed for help from Washington in combatting militancy, with La Belle France and Turkey also offering assistance. "Eleven terrorists, all Iraqi men, were executed on Sunday, November 24," a justice ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity ... for fear of being murdered... "They were executed after being convicted by the courts of carrying out terrorist attacks." A post later uploaded to the ministry's Facebook page, confirmed as authentic by the official, listed the men by their initials along with the crimes they were convicted of having carried out. At least 162 people have been executed so far this year, according to an AFP tally based on reports from the ministry and officials, compared to 129 for all of 2012. Diplomats have voiced worry that the pace of executions in Iraq may increase ahead of elections due to be held on April 30, arguing that officials will be keen to show they are tough on security. Executions in Iraq, usually carried out by hanging, have increased this year despite persistent international calls for a moratorium. The United Nations ...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... , European Union ...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing... and human rights One man's rights are another man's existential threat. groups have condemned the high rate of executions, with UN human rights chief Navi Pillay saying earlier this year that Iraq's criminal justice system was "not functioning adequately". But Iraqi Justice Minister Hassan al-Shammari has insisted that the executions are carried out only after an exhaustive legal process. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Texas casts an envious glance... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2013-11-27 16:52 |