Stalled death sentences spur debate in Iraq
Following the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi authorities are under pressure to expedite the execution of terrorism convicts.
BAGHDAD — The Karrada blast, which killed about 300 Iraqis on July 3, brought attention to the thorny issue of the convicted terrorists who have spent years on death row awaiting execution. Amid popular discontent, the Iraqi government seems unable to resolve the issue of capital punishment, which is associated with the legal system inherited from the former regime.
Under strong political and public pressure, the Iraqi presidency ratified an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure on July 7, a full year after its passing in the House of Representatives. The code enters into force as of its publication in the Official Gazette this week.
The law is expected to accelerate the execution process of those convicted of terrorism and will put an end to “the neglect of the blood of the martyrs,” according to Habib Hamza al-Torfi, a member of the parliamentary commission on human rights. He told Al-Monitor, “The delay in the execution of terrorists is encouraging those who are tempted to join terrorist and armed groups.” Torfi criticized the presidency for the delay in approving the executions.
Before the amendment, Criminal Procedure Code 23 of 1971 had stipulated that each person sentenced to death had the right to four appeals. These can delay the process for more than 2½ years. In addition, the committee set up by former President Jalal Talabani requires up to a year and a half in some cases to examine the cases of the convicts.
