Saddam Hussein's Death Sentence Upheld

The countdown to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's execution has begun. Hussein's single appeal with the Iraqi Appeals Court has expired, which means that the former dictator and convicted killer's execution date must be set no later than 2007-01-27. While his execution warrant must be signed by the Iraqi Executive (which contains capital punishment opponents), indications are that this will be completed quickly. In contrast to U. S. executions, Hussein's execution by hanging will likely not be preceded by extensive media coverage. In an effort to control the sectarian violence which may result from Hussein's execution, the sentence will probably be carried out at an undisclosed time and a government press release will announce its completion.

Despite the questions of fairness surrounding his trial, Saddam Hussein's death sentence is just and should be carried out quickly to provide a measure of closure to the thousands of families whose wounds still run deep. While Hussein is still a co-defendant in other trials in Iraq, his execution will not deny victims justice. Surviving co-defendants will still face their accusers and must still serve whatever sentence Iraqi courts impose. The world needs to hear the truth about the actions of Hussein's regime and their real effects on people.

These lessons should encourage consistency in terms of which governments we enlist in promoting our interests abroad. In this War on Terror, will we ally ourselves with governments which do not share our fundamental values for short-term gain (as we did with Hussein against Iran in the past) or will we stand firm and build a sustainable peace for doing so? We can no longer afford to fight the wars of this generation and create the conditions for the next in the process. North America and her allies are in this fight for a better future. Let us make sure that this better future lasts.