UN rights chief aims to prevent death sentence on Iraq’s ex-vice president

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has filed a legal brief with the Iraqi High Tribunal arguing that international law prohibits the death sentence on former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan on grounds of breach of due process.

A statement issued by Arbour’s office said, “The High Commissioner argues that the Court’s imposition of the death sentence on Taha Yassin Ramadan would violate Iraq’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” More