IRAQ. ANTI-TERROR LAWS DEBATED THAT COULD INTRODUCE DEATH PENALTY FOR WIDE RANGE OF OFFENCES

September 6, 2005: Iraqi MPs debated sweeping anti-terror legislation that would make even crimes such as vandalism subject to the death penalty in a bid to quell the raging insurgency. The wide-ranging anti-terror bill proposed the death penalty not only for those guilty of "terrorist" acts, but for accomplices and those advocating "sectarian strife".
The bill, which was being discussed behind closed doors and could be amended, listed eight offences that could qualify as terrorist acts, including "violence ... vandalism against public buildings ... forming armed gangs ... and using explosives to kill people."
Possible offences also included "advocating sectarian sedition or civil war through arming citizens or mobilising them to carry arms against each other".
Attacking Iraqi soldiers and police, as well as diplomatic missions, could also lead to execution, as could kidnapping for political, sectarian, ethnic or racial reasons.
"The culprit or accomplice in the act would be executed" along with "the instigator, the plotter, and whoever assists in any of the aforementioned crimes," the draft said. "We need to protect Iraq and the world against terrorists," said Jawad al-Maliki, an MP from the ruling Dawa party, adding that a vote on the bill was expected within a few days. (Sources: Agence France Presse, 06/09/2005)