Ban triggers feud over Saddam execution
On his first day in office, new UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon triggered a controversy over Saddam Hussein’s execution by expressing a stance for the death penalty. Major international media headlined his news briefing, pointing out that his stance is in contrast with the long-held position of the UN that opposes the death penalty. The UN is not in favor of capital punishment, on the basis of human rights.
In its headline “New UN Chief Stands for Saddam Execution,” The Washington Post indicated that his stance is different from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who openly stressed the UN strongly opposed execution. Some advocates of human rights worried, “His statement could give a justification for Saddam's execution.”
The newspaper added, “The issue of capital punishment is one of the long term controversial issues to be resolved. Only about 70 countries, including South Korea and the US, still have the death penalty. Interestingly, a day ahead of his statement, the UN special envoy for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, said, “Based on human rights, the UN remains opposed to capital punishment, even in the case of crimes against humanity, genocide, and war criminals.” “Ban refused to respond to Qazi’s statement,” the Post said.
Concerning Ban’s statement, spokeswoman Michele Montas said, “His remarks did not represent a change in UN policy.” When reporters asked about Saddam's execution, he remarked, “Saddam Hussein was responsible for committing dreadful crimes against innocent Iraqi people. We should never forget the victims of his crimes.”
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 / 입력시간: 2007. 01.05. 08:15
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