The fall of Saddam Hussein

Dear Mrs. Perez,

I’m a private German citizen and I would like to comment on former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who was sentenced yesterday to the death penalty by a special Court for his role in a brutal crackdown in 1982 in the Shiite town of Dujail.

With him, his half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan Hassan, and the former Chief Judge of the Revolutionary Court Awad Bandar also were sentenced to death.
Most of Saddam Hussein’s crimes during his brutal leadership against his very own people, where not even discussed in this special Court hearing.
Just 50 years ago in Germany, the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg prosecuted prominent Fascist leaders of the political, military and economical leadership of Nazi Germany. These responsible Fascist leaders were punished for war-crimes. At that time, 24 Fascist leaders were indicted, tried as war criminals and sentenced to death. Those responsible had all committed crimes against humanity.

This has been only 50 years ago and today, we, the Free World, are witnessing the fall and the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. I hope, this gives a clear message to the still present dictators in today’s world, who are still committing crimes against humanity. Saddam Hussein didn't deserve anything less but the maximum penalty, the death sentence.

Generally speaking, the EU is against the death penalty. Today in a press conference, the German Chancellor, Mrs. Merkel, spoke out against the death penalty against Saddam Hussein. I'm European and at the same time I’m German too, but I exclude myself from my Government’s viewpoint. It is my point of view, that in cases of tyrants and dictators committing crimes and genocides against humanity, dictators convicted should get capital punishment.