Ramsey Clark Condemns Saddam Death Sentence
Former US Atty General Condemns Planned Execution of Saddam Hussein
Washington, December 28 (RHC)-- With the decision of an appeals court in occupied Iraq to carry out the execution of Saddam Hussein and several others, former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark issued a statement strongly condemning the action. Clark, who served as one of a number of defense attorneys for the former Iraqi president, said "the decision will have long term consequences for the peace and stability of Iraq, and for the rule of law as a means to peace."
Ramsey Clark said that the stage has been set for the imminent execution of Saddam Hussein, exposing him to "summary execution, torture and cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment -- all in violation of U.S. and international law." He warned that the execution could take place at any moment and that the George W. Bush administration "apparently plan to carry out this execution quickly."
The former attorney general of the United States said that "the great weight of international legal opinion has found the Iraqi Special Tribunal subject to political pressures, lacking independence and not impartial." The statement issued by Ramsey Clark noted that the trial of Saddam Hussein "failed to provide due process of law and was unfair." And he added that "executions, if they occur in the midst the present violence, are expected to cause a long term increase in the level of violence causing more U.S. and Iraqi casualties."
The statement by the former U.S. attorney general concludes: "Saddam Hussein and his co-defendants are in the custody of the U.S. military in Iraq. They will be turned over to Iraq only on the order of or with the approval of President Bush. His pending decision will have long term consequences for the peace and stability of Iraq, and for the rule of law as a means to peace."
Share this page with a friend
International Action Center
5C - Solidarity Center
55 West 17th Street
New York, NY 10011
email: mailto:iacenter@action-mail.org
En Espanol: iac-cai@action-mail.org
Web: http://www.iacenter.org
Support Mumia Abu-Jamal: http://www.millions4mumia.org/
phone: 212 633-6646
fax: 212 633-2889
Make a donation to the IAC and its projects
The International Action Center
Home ActionAlerts Press