It is unclear if the sentences have been ratified by the Iraqi presidency yet.
The announcement gave no timeline for carrying out the executions but expressed a hope that it would be soon.
"After this alarming announcement, Iraqi authorities must move quickly to commute all death sentences and declare a moratorium on executions across the country," said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
"If the Iraqi authorities carry out these death sentences, they would nearly quadruple Iraq's already shocking execution record so far this year."
In the first half of 2012 alone, Iraq executed at least 70 people, which is already more than the figure for all of last year.
According to Amnesty International's information, in 2011 a total of at least 68 people were executed in Iraq. Around the country, hundreds of others are believed to remain on death row.
The death penalty was suspended in Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003 but restored in August 2004. Since then, hundreds of people have been sentenced to death and many have been executed.
Source: Amnesty International, July 24, 2012
IRAQ INTENDS TO EXECUTE 196 PRISONERS
Some 196 people are at imminent risk of execution in Iraq: the Ministry of Interior has announced their sentences are at the final stage and should be implemented soon.
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior published on its website on 23 July recent news from the chief of police in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, about the final stage of 196 death sentences in the province. He said that the Court of Cassation had upheld all the sentences and that he hoped they would be implemented soon. It is unclear if any of the 196 death sentences have already been ratified by the Iraqi Presidential Council.
The news published on the Ministry of Interior's website gave no details about any of the 196 people facing execution, such as their names or what charges they were convicted of.
Since the beginning of 2012 at least 70 people have been executed in Iraq. The death penalty was suspended for a time after the US-led invasion of Iraq but restored in August 2004. Since then, hundreds of people have been sentenced to death and many have been executed. Amnesty International considers the death penalty to be a violation of the right to life, and the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.
Please write immediately in English or Arabic:
- Expressing concern that 196 people are facing imminent execution;
- Urging the authorities to commute these and all other death sentences;
- Calling on them to establish an immediate moratorium on executions;
- Insisting that, while governments have an obligation to bring to justice those responsible for serious crimes, the death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, and should not be applied even for the most serious crimes.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 4 SEPTEMBER 2012 TO:
Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Defence and Interior
His Excellency Nuri Kamil al-Maliki, Prime Minister
Convention Centre (Qasr al-Ma'aridh)
Baghdad,
IRAQ
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Human Rights
His Excellency Mohammad Shayaa
al-Sudani
Convention Centre (Qasr al-Ma'aridh)
Baghdad,
IRAQ
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice
Hassan al-Shammari
Convention Centre (Qasr al-Ma'aridh)
Baghdad,
IRAQ
Salutation: Your Excellency
Also send copies to:
Ambassador Jabir Habeb Jabir
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
3421 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Tel: 1 202 742 1600 EXT136
Fax: 1 202 333 1129
Email: amboffice@iraqiembassy.org -OR- info@iraqiembassy.us
Twitter: @IraqiEmbassyUSA
Please check with AIUSA Urgent Action Office if sending appeals after the above date.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The death penalty has been used very extensively in Iraq. Hundreds of people have been sentenced to death since the death penalty was reinstated by the Iraqi government in 2004, following a one-year suspension by the then head of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), Paul Bremer. The government gives very little information, such as statistics, about executions. Hundreds of people are said to be under sentence of death. Amnesty International is opposed to the death penalty in all cases because it is a violation of two fundamental human rights, as laid down in Articles 3 and 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the right to life and the right not to be tortured or subjected to any cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. The organization considers the death penalty to be the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.
Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned human rights abuses by armed groups in Iraq, some of which are war crimes and crimes against humanity, including kidnapping, torture and killing of civilians, and continues to call for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Name: 196 prisoners (m)
Issue(s): Death penalty
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This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
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Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/uan
Phone: 202.509.8193
Fax: 202.675.8566
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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