Verdict on Saddam arouses mixed global reactions
6/11/2006 16:36
The death sentence given to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein
yesterday has aroused mixed reactions worldwide, with many countries welcoming
the end of the trial but opposing the use of death penalty.
The United
States, which led the 2003 invasion of Iraq, hailed the verdict as "a major
achievement."
In a brief statement issued on Sunday, US President George W.
Bush said, "It's a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy and its
constitutional government."
Earlier on Sunday, Saddam and two of his senior
aides were sentenced to death by hanging after the Iraqi High Tribunal found
them guilty of crimes against humanity over the execution of 148 Shiite
villagers of Dujail in a crackdown on the town after a failed assassination
attempt against Saddam in 1982.
Britain also welcomed the death penalty for
Saddam. "I welcome (the fact) that Saddam Hussein and the other defendants have
faced justice and have been held to account for their crimes," said British
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett in a statement on Sunday.
"Appalling
crimes were committed by Saddam Hussein's regime. It is right that those accused
of such crimes against the Iraqi people should face Iraqi justice," she
stated.
But many other countries, while welcoming the fact that Saddam was
found guilty of brutalities committed during his rule, expressed opposition to
his execution.
Finland, which holds the rotating presidency of the European
Union, is a leading voice among these countries, which also include Sweden,
Switzerland, New Zealand and Spain.
"The EU opposes capital punishment in all
cases and under all circumstances and it should not be carried out in this case
either," the Finnish presidency said in a statement.
Sweden's Foreign
Minister Carl Bildt said it is extremely satisfying that "the former dictator"
has been made to answer for his crimes and that the first verdict has now been
handed down.
But at the same time, Bildt expressed regret that Iraq has not
chosen to abolish the death penalty.
"Sweden and the European Union's
position on the matter is well-known and our rejection of the death penalty is
without exception," he said.
UN high commissioner for human rights Lousie
Arbour echoed these countries' views. She urged on Sunday the Iraqi authorities
to refrain from hanging Saddam and ensure that he receives a fair appeals
process.
"A credible appeals process is an essential part of fair-trial
guarantees," said Arbour in a statement. "This is particularly important in this
instance, in which the death penalty has been imposed."
"Those convicted
today should have every opportunity to exhaust their appellate remedies in a
fair way, and whatever the outcome of an appeal, I hope the government will
observe a moratorium on executions," she added.
Meanwhile, some other
countries, including France, expressed the hope that the capital punishment for
Saddam would not worsen the violent situation in Iraq.
"In the violent
situation of current Iraq, I hope this decision will not bring about new
tensions and that the Iraqi people, whatever community they belong to, should
prove their restraint," said French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy on
Sunday.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said the trial of Saddam was "fair"
but refused to comment on the death sentence pending the appeal period, which
runs for a month.
The death sentence also drew different responses in Iraq,
with Saddam's fellow Sunnis demonstrating and Shiites celebrating. On Sunday,
sporadic clashes took place in Baghdad between insurgents and Iraqi security
forces, killing at least five people.
Xinhua News
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