COUNCIL OF EUROPE BLASTS IRAQI GOV'T OVER HANGING OF EX-OFFICIAL

Europe's human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, blasted the Iraqi authorities over the hanging of former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan.
"Against the background of the daily bloodbath on the streets of Iraq, the authorities should focus on arresting criminals who are still at large, rather than executing those already in prison." "The death penalty is not justice, and state orchestrated killings not only undermine the credibility and the international reputation of the Iraqi government, but also the prospects for a peaceful and just future for the Iraqi people." The council regretted that the Iraqi authorities have ignored the concerns of the international community and gone ahead with the hanging of Ramadan. "At the time he was sentenced, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour warned that his execution would violate international law."