Amnesty International for a just trial for Saddam Hussein

In its reaction to Saddam Hussein's capture, Amnesty International welcomed the capturing of Saddam and said that he is accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. It stressed his right to International Law guarantees, including his right not to be mistreated or tortured, and his right to a just trial.

The organization, which takes London as a headquarter, said that Saddam Hussein, in his capacity as a former President for the Iraqi armed forces, is considered a war prisoner, and should be given all guarantees concerning war prisoners. Replying to that, the US defense secretary Doland Rumsfield said that Saddam Hussein will be treated as a war prisoner and will get protection provided by the Geneva Agreement despite the fact he is not collaborating with investigators. Rumsfield denied that the occupation forces resorted to violence in dealing with the toppled president during investigations, noting that investigators will decide if the Red Cross will be permitted to visit him. Worth noting that the US had in the past complaint about captured US soldiers being displayed on TV in violations of Prisoner Of War conventions, a charge being leveled by some against the U.S. in its treatment of Saddam Hussein.

US President Gearge W. Bush said yesterday "There needs to be a public trial and all the atrocities need to come out and justice needs to be delivered," Bush said, adding he is "confident it will be done in a fair way.

"We will work with Iraqis to develop a way to try him that will withstand international scrutiny," Bush said.

Meantime, the chairman of the Iraqi provisional council Abdul Aziz al-Hakim said that Saddam Hussein will have a just trial, but without ruling out giving him the death penalty, noting that this option is stated in the Iraqi laws, and this matter will be decided during the trial. Al-Hakim said that many members of the Iraqi Governing Council talked to Saddam Hussein, and "he seemed unrepentant and defended his crimes relentlessly." However, Britain's envoy to Iraq, Jermy Greenstock, said that his country opposes the execution of Saddam Hussein, and therefore it will not play a role in his trial should if it will be conducive to his execution. Britain abrogated the death penalty since 1964.