ITALY. RE-LAUNCH OF ONLINE COLLECTION OF SIGNATURES FOR “HANDS OFF SADDAM”

an event was held in Rome re-launching the online collection of signatures for the “Hands Off Saddam” campaign and for a UN moratorium on capital executions.
The event was promoted by Hands Off Cain together with the Italian Singers Football Team (Nazionale Italiana Cantanti) in collaboration with the Medfilm Festival and the association Sent For Solidarity (Inviati Per La Solidarieta’).
The appeal calls on the Iraqi authorities to re-establish a moratorium of capital executions, which was established after the fall of Saddam Hussein, with the aim of reinforcing the completion of the transition process towards democracy of the country in accordance with the rule of law. The appeal also calls on the Iraqi Government and Parliament to consider the establishment of a Truth Commission, or any other similar and appropriate instrument, to ensure, in the full respect of international law, the fullest ascertainment of the serious responsibilities for the crimes committed the old leadership and, at the same time, to offer the best opportunity to establish the rule of law in Iraq.
“‘Hands Off Saddam’ does not equate to immunity from justice but to the respect of human rights,” explained Secretary Gen. of Hands Off Cain Sergio D’Elia. “Iraq has already executed 51 people since the beginning of the year.”
Eighty Italian Parliamentarians and as many MEPs have already given their support to the campaign against Saddam’s execution on top of the support already given by numerous singers, intellectuals, writers and Nobel prize winners. Among those who have already pledged their support are Francesco Cossiga, Giuliano Vassalli, Marco Pannella, Emma Bonino, Giovanna Melandri, the artist Moni Ovadia and the writer Sandro Veronesi.
“A court formed by Shiites and Kurds condemned to death the Sunni Saddam. This isn’t even the justice of the victors over those defeated, but revenge against their executioner,” stated D’Elia, “With this Saddam becomes the symbol of the death penalty and our Hands Off Cain applies to him too.”
But Saddam is not the only one: “Every year 5,000 people are executed around the world. For them it is necessary to urgently re-launch the campaign for a UN moratorium on all capital executions which is the main way of achieving the abolition of the death penalty,” D’Elia added.