Human rights group slams Saddam's trial and verdict

Published on Monday 20 November 2006 13:00

THE trial of Saddam Hussein was flawed and its verdict unsound, an international human rights organisation claimed today.

Human Rights Watch said it found a series of procedural errors that amounted to an unfair trial for the former Iraq dictator.

It accused the authorities of failing to disclose key evidence to the defence, not allowing witnesses to be cross-examined and questioned the impartiality of the judge.

Nehal Bhuta, who wrote a report on the trial, said imposing the death penalty on Saddam after such a trial was "indefensible".

Saddam was sentenced to be hanged earlier this month after being convicted of crimes against humanity.

The trial concerned violent revenge attacks that left more than 100 residents of Dujail dead following an assassination attempt on Saddam in 1982.

Mr Bhuta said: "The tribunal squandered an important opportunity to deliver justice to the people of Iraq."