UN Calls to Stop Next Two Executions

Iraq Should Refrain From Executing Two Hussein Aides, UN Says

By Bill Varner and Paul Tighe

Much like international human rights groups tried before Saddam's hanging, the UN has now called for a delay to allow review of process and appeals...

Jan. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Iraq should refrain from carrying out the execution today of two associates of former leader Saddam Hussein, who was hanged Dec. 30, said Louise Arbour, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights.

Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, Hussein's half-brother, and Awad Hamed al-Bandar, the former head of Iraq's Revolutionary Court, are scheduled to be executed at dawn today in Baghdad, Al Arabiya television reported yesterday, citing unidentified Iraqi government officials.

``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,'' Arbour said yesterday in a statement, adding she appealed to Iraq's President Jalal Talabani to prevent the death sentences being carried out.