Iraq executes 11 despite international outcry

BAGHDAD - Agence France-Presse

AP Photo

Iraqi authorities executed 11 more people today -- 10 Iraqis and one Algerian -- despite widespread international calls for a moratorium on Baghdad's use of the death penalty.

The latest executions bring to at least 113 the number of times Iraq has followed through on death sentences so far this year, according to an AFP tally, already far outpacing 2011 when 68 people were put to death.

"Eleven persons -- 10 Iraqis and one Algerian -- were executed this morning because they were convicted of terrorist activities," a justice ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Sunday also marks the latest of several occasions that Baghdad has carried out multiple executions on a single day. On August 27, Iraq put 21 people to death in a single day.

The executions have sparked calls for a moratorium from the UN assistance mission in Iraq, from Britain, the European Union and human rights group Amnesty International.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed shock earlier this year at the number of executions, criticising the lack of transparency in court proceedings and calling for an immediate suspension of the death penalty.