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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.
An empty cell is seen during a media tour arranged by the Iraqi authorities at a prison, known as Camp Honor, inside Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone May 17, 2012.  Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday Iraqi authorities were still running a jail they said had been shut over a year ago after reports of prisoners being beaten and electrocuted, but the government denied this, saying the site was empty.    REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen (IRAQ - Tags: CRIME LAW) - RTR3272R
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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.

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