Ban joins appeals against execution

“The concerns that I expressed just days ago with respect to the fairness and impartiality of Saddam Hussein’s trial apply also to these two defendants,” the statement said. “I have therefore today directly appealed to the President of the Republic of Iraq to refrain from carrying out these sentences.”

But Ban has not taken any stand on the fairness or otherwise of the trial and Montas said he was only speaking about the execution.

Noting that the death sentences on the two were upheld together with that on Hussein, she said that under Iraq’s international obligations, the country is bound to afford the two the opportunity to seek commutation or pardon of the sentences.

“However, the Secretary-General strongly believes in the wisdom of Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person,” she added.

Ban recognizes that “there is no consensus at the United Nations over the issue of the death penalty,” she said, pointing out that there was a debate at the General Assembly a few years ago which ended with the majority of member states refusing to condemn the death penalty.

Ban had landed himself into controversy right on his first day in office over what observers say were his attempts to dilute the world body’s strong stand against the death penalty.