The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal...

The death penalty has been in force in the Iraqi legal system since 1921, following the foundation of the Iraqi State (1920), its field of application has been extended since the taking of power by the Baath party in 1968 and since 1979, the year marking the beginning of Saddam Hussein's presidency. Numerous emergency measures which were established, including the death penalty, were to be provisional, but have endured for years.
The extra judicial executions committed by various sections and leaderships of the Baath party in the military and security structures, generally under the direct and personal orders of the president himself or those to whom he delegates such authority are always presented in the frame of an emergency state. However, Iraq, at least since 1980, has consistently lived in that state (Iran-Iraq war, invasion of Kuwait, Gulf War and embargo). A large number of death penalty convictions were effected through laws and decrees enacted by the Council of the Revolution Command (CCR) which represents the supreme legislative authority of the regime and whose decisions have the force of law.
In many cases and due to the secrets surrounding of the proceedings, it is not possible to establish whether they concern judicial or extra judicial executions. It is important to note that the proportionality of the sentence according to the seriousness of the offences does not exist in Iraq. The promulgation of the death penalty for many offences, including non violent ones, (theft, desertion, etc.) is contrary to Article 6 of the international convention for civic and political rights.