The Finnish presidency of the European Union (EU) on Sunday called for Iraq not to use the death penalty against former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, a statement said.

The presidency recalled EU's longstanding position of opposing the death penalty. The EU opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances and it should not be carried out in this case either.

Over the years, the EU has repeatedly condemned the systematic, widespread and extremely grave violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law committed by the regime of Saddam Hussein, the statement said.

Establishing the truth and ensuring accountability for the crimes committed during the past regime will assist in furthering national reconciliation and dialogue in Iraq in the future. The nature of the crimes as well as the necessity of national reconciliation mean that all the trials have to be conducted respecting all the requirements for a fair process, the statement added.