PUBLIC AI Index: MDE 14/013/2009

07 May 2009

Further Information on UA 67/09 (AI Index MDE 14/009/2009, 09 March 2009) Fear of imminent execution

IRAQ 128 people, no names

Amnesty International has learned that the Iraqi authorities executed 12 people on 3 May. The 12 were believed to be among 128 people who had been on death row, and there are fears that more executions will follow in the coming days or weeks.

On 9 March the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council confirmed to Amnesty International that Iraq’s Presidential Council had ratified the death sentences of 128 people who had been facing imminent execution. The death sentences were originally passed by criminal courts in Baghdad, Basra and other cities and provinces on charges under Iraq’s Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism law that include murder and kidnapping, and were upheld by the Cassation Court.

On 6 May 2009 the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) issued a statement expressing concern at the execution of 12 people on 3 May and urging the Iraqi authorities to implement a moratorium on executions.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- expressing your dismay that 12 people were executed on 3 May, and calling for their full names to be disclosed;

- asking on what charges they were convicted and by which courts they were tried;

- expressing concern that at least 116 people are currently facing imminent execution;

- urging the Iraqi authorities to commute these and all other death sentences;

- calling on the Iraqi authorities to establish an immediate moratorium on executions

APPEALS TO:

Please send appeals via the Iraqi embassy or diplomatic representative in your country, asking them to forward your appeals to:

President

Jalal Talabani

Salutation: Your Excellency

Vice-President

Tariq al-Hashimi

Salutation: Your Excellency

Vice-President

‘Adil ‘Abdul Mahdi

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Prime Minister

Nuri Kamil al-Maliki

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hoshyar Zebari

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Human Rights

Wajdan Mikhail Salam

Fax: +9641 538 2007

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Iraq accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 18 June 2009.