Comments on Saddam Hussein's impending execution

Comments on Saddam Hussein's impending execution

"I think he deserves punishment and sharp and unequivocal punishment. ... But I would say of him what I have to say about anyone who has committed even the most appalling crimes in this country, that I believe the death penalty effectively says there is no room for change and repentance." — Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, on BBC Radio.

Saddam's execution punishes "a crime with another crime. ... The death penalty is not a natural death. And no one can give death, not even the state." — Cardinal Renato Martino, Pope Benedict XVI's top prelate for justice issues, to the Rome daily La Repubblica.

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"All sections of Iraqi society, as well as the wider international community, have an interest in ensuring that a death sentence provided for in Iraqi law is only imposed following a trial and appeal process that is, and is legitimately seen as, fair, credible and impartial. That is especially so in a case as exceptional as this one." — Louise Arbour, U.N. high commissioner for human rights.

"It will not increase our moral authority in the world. ... Saddam's heinous crimes against humanity can never be diminished, but he was our ally while he was doing it. ... Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth will make us blind and disfigured. ... Saddam as a war trophy only deepens the catastrophe to which we are indelibly linked." — The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

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"Italy is against the death penalty and so even in such a dramatic case as Saddam Hussein, we still think that the death penalty must not be put into action." — Italian Premier Romano Prodi.

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"Every dictator must answer for his actions, every dictator. This does not always happen in history. ... I will never defend the death penalty not even for the worst politician." — Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

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Germany "rejects the death penalty. ... The death penalty is, however, foreseen and possible under Iraqi law. There is no indication that these court proceedings in Iraq, including the appeals process, were not conducted in accordance with the legal principles there." — Thomas Steg, spokesman for the German government.

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Denmark "supports the establishment of a democracy and an independent judicial system in Iraq. But we do not support the death penalty." Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller.

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"Imposing the death penalty, which is indefensible in any case, is especially wrong after the unfair proceedings of the Dujail trial." — Richard Dicker, director of the International Justice Program for Human Rights Watch.

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"Putting into action such an inhumane sentence casts aside the aspirations of the Iraqi people for the transformation of their country." — Ravil Gainutdin, head of the Russian Council of Muftis, to the RIA-Novosti news agency.