In Iraq … 50 prisoners await execution on Monday

Human rights experts from the United Nations indicated Friday that “some 50 prisoners in Iraq expect to be executed next Monday, after having been convicted of crimes related to terrorism in unfair trials.”

Independent experts urged the Iraqi government to immediately halt all mass executions, pointing to the execution of 21 prisoners last October, followed by the execution of 21 prisoners last week at the Nasiriyah Central Prison, also known as “Al Hout” Prison. .

And they said in a joint statement: “The wave appears as part of a broader plan to execute all prisoners sentenced to death.”

The experts added: “We believe that about 4,000 prisoners, most of them accused of terrorist crimes, are awaiting execution, and hundreds of executions are imminent after signing their orders.”

And they continued: “We strongly urge the Iraqi government to respect its international legal obligations and immediately stop other plans to execute the prisoners,” noting that “trials under the anti-terrorism law were marked by disturbing violations.”

In a statement issued last week, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, called on the Iraqi authorities to “stop any further execution.”

She said: “His office found frequent violations of fair trials, ineffective legal representation, excessive reliance on confessions and repeated allegations of torture.”