Brussels, 13/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Union has expressed its deep concern over the human rights situation in Iraq. In a statement published on Wednesday 11 November, the EU deplores the reintroduction of executions in Iraq. At least 117 people are known to have been executed since May this year, when the 2007 suspension of executions was terminated. The EU is concerned by indications that the actual numbers of executions are higher, and that another 900 persons are currently on death row. The EU urges the government of Iraq to resume the de facto suspension of the death penalty, pending its abolition.
The EU is also concerned by the difficulty Iraqi authorities are experiencing in preventing the “appalling and arbitrary” violence directed against vulnerable groups in Iraqi society, such as lethal attacks against ethnic and religious minorities and homosexual men. Arbitrary violence against children is frequent, and is of special concern to the EU.
The EU notes with deep concern that insurgent groups have targeted female politicians, civil servants, journalists, and women's rights activists and advocates. The difficult conditions prevailing for journalists, with members of the press being targeted and killed by militia groups, constitute a serious infringement on the freedom of expression. (L.C./transl.rt)