Features

March 11, 2007

ADVISORY: Taha Yassin Ramadan Appeals Death Penalty

NEW YORK, March 11, 2007-Within the next few hours, counsel for Taha Yassin Ramadan, the former Iraqi vice-president, is expected to file an appeal against Ramadan's re-sentencing from life imprisonment to death by hanging for his role in the Dujail crimes. The Trial Chamber of the Iraqi High Tribunal imposed the increased sentence on February 12, 2007 after an Appeals Chamber decision directed them to do so without giving its reasoning. The trial and sentencing processes were fundamentally flawed. Human Rights Watch and the International Center for Transitional Justice urge the Appeals Chamber to reverse its decision and re-impose a life sentence.

Human Rights Watch issued a 93-page report, "Judging Dujail: The First Trial before the Iraqi High Tribunal" (http://hrw.org/reports/2006/iraq1106/) in November 2006, outlining concerns about the fairness of trial proceedings. The ICTJ also issued a report "Dujail: Trial and Error?" (http://www.ictj.org/static/MENA/Iraq/ICTJDujailBrief.eng.pdf) in November 2006, questioning whether Dujail met international fair trial standards. The trial was plagued by political interference, legal shortcomings, and security failures.

More information on the Taha Yassin Ramadan case can be found at:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/12/iraq15295.htm

For more information, please contact:
In New York, Miranda Sissons, ICTJ (www.ictj.org)
Work: +1-917-637-3837
Mobile: +1-646-515-3712 (US and international)
Email: msissons@ictj.org

In New York, Sara Darehshori, Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org)
Work: +1-212-216-1262
Mobile: +1-646-342-1749
Email: darehss@hrw.org