Facts and questions regarding Hussein trial
For the Shiites and Kurds it was a day of celebration, for the Sunni's it was a day of loss. After a strenuous nine-month trial, the verdict was delivered. On Sunday, November 5, in an Iraqi court, chief judge, Raouf Abdul-Rahman sentenced Saddam Hussein to death by way of hanging.
Hussein was charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the ordered torture and killing of 150 Shiite Muslims following an assassination attempt against him in the town of Dujail in 1982. As Saddam was delegated his conviction he repeatedly yelled “God is great.” His passionate harangues disrupted the courts to the point that he was thrown out of court on several occasions.
The former Iraqi leader's controversial trial resulted in the murders of three defence lawyers and one witness. Although one would think the death sentencing could only worsen the already threatening civil unrest, however, on several occasions Hussein has made public declarations for national unity. He urged Iraqi's to remember that their goal should be to free their country devoid of means of revenge.
Hussein will have the opportunity to appeal his sentence, however, if his appeal is denied he will be hung within a thirty-day time frame. A nine-judge appeals panel is expected to rule on Saddam's guilty verdict and death sentence in the Dujail case by the middle of January, the chief prosecutor said. That could set in motion a possible execution by mid-February.
During his final court appearance, Hussein called upon Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds to exercise clemency and reconciliation, which was a contrary demeanour during the majority of the trial. Saddam and his cousin "Chemical Ali" al-Majid are charged with genocide in the Anfal case, and if convicted, could be sentenced to death.
When suspicions arose that Iraq potentially had weapons of mass destruction the U.S. immediately pursued Hussein, which ultimately led the leader into hiding. He was discovered 19 months later in a hole in the ground nine miles away from his hometown of Tikrit. Saddams' face was strewn with an abashed expression, as a dusty fully loaded pistol lay nearby, however, he was peacefully taken into custody without any shots fired. The U.S. led invasion of Iraq had already begun when Saddam was captured.
As people continue to question the validity of the invasion of Iraq, the unsettled country's former leader prepares for what some like Manfred Nowak, the U.N. special investigator on torture, say is a barbaric punishment others like Iran, Shiites and Kurds believe it's a justified sentence.
Hussein's verdict was announced days before American elections took place, therefore, was Saddam's judgement purely a political strategy for the republicans? Some critics believe it was a political tactic, however, they don't believe the announcement will increase neo conservative seats.
Conversely, what purposes will the hanging of a criminal serve? Saddam is not a saint by any means, however, does killing a murderer demonstrate an effective message. Will the conviction honestly serve as a warning sign to ruthless dictators like President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe? Is capital punishment merely a demonstration of judicial hypocrisy? Doesn't the death penalty only perpetuate the onslaught of murder amongst human beings? What kind of example does the judicial system serve if its rationale is revenge? How can the courts issue the death penalty for crimes against humanity when the death penalty essentially is a crime against humanity?
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Hussein was charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the ordered torture and killing of 150 Shiite Muslims following an assassination attempt against him in the town of Dujail in 1982. As Saddam was delegated his conviction he repeatedly yelled “God is great.” His passionate harangues disrupted the courts to the point that he was thrown out of court on several occasions.
The former Iraqi leader's controversial trial resulted in the murders of three defence lawyers and one witness. Although one would think the death sentencing could only worsen the already threatening civil unrest, however, on several occasions Hussein has made public declarations for national unity. He urged Iraqi's to remember that their goal should be to free their country devoid of means of revenge.
Hussein will have the opportunity to appeal his sentence, however, if his appeal is denied he will be hung within a thirty-day time frame. A nine-judge appeals panel is expected to rule on Saddam's guilty verdict and death sentence in the Dujail case by the middle of January, the chief prosecutor said. That could set in motion a possible execution by mid-February.
During his final court appearance, Hussein called upon Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds to exercise clemency and reconciliation, which was a contrary demeanour during the majority of the trial. Saddam and his cousin "Chemical Ali" al-Majid are charged with genocide in the Anfal case, and if convicted, could be sentenced to death.
When suspicions arose that Iraq potentially had weapons of mass destruction the U.S. immediately pursued Hussein, which ultimately led the leader into hiding. He was discovered 19 months later in a hole in the ground nine miles away from his hometown of Tikrit. Saddams' face was strewn with an abashed expression, as a dusty fully loaded pistol lay nearby, however, he was peacefully taken into custody without any shots fired. The U.S. led invasion of Iraq had already begun when Saddam was captured.
As people continue to question the validity of the invasion of Iraq, the unsettled country's former leader prepares for what some like Manfred Nowak, the U.N. special investigator on torture, say is a barbaric punishment others like Iran, Shiites and Kurds believe it's a justified sentence.
Hussein's verdict was announced days before American elections took place, therefore, was Saddam's judgement purely a political strategy for the republicans? Some critics believe it was a political tactic, however, they don't believe the announcement will increase neo conservative seats.
Conversely, what purposes will the hanging of a criminal serve? Saddam is not a saint by any means, however, does killing a murderer demonstrate an effective message. Will the conviction honestly serve as a warning sign to ruthless dictators like President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe? Is capital punishment merely a demonstration of judicial hypocrisy? Doesn't the death penalty only perpetuate the onslaught of murder amongst human beings? What kind of example does the judicial system serve if its rationale is revenge? How can the courts issue the death penalty for crimes against humanity when the death penalty essentially is a crime against humanity?
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
