Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes against humanity over the Dujail repression, which involved torture, imprisonment, forced displacement, and the deaths of 148 men and boys following a 1982 assassination attempt.
At a glance
- What happened
- Hussein's government detained and tortured Dujail residents, displaced families, and subjected male detainees to proceedings that led to executions and deaths in detention. The case concerned 148 men and boys. The prosecution described the campaign as retaliation for the assassination attempt. Serious fair-trial defects documented by Human Rights Watch are part of the legal context, alongside the conviction.
- When
- July 1982: Dujail incident and reprisals. 2005–2006: trial. November 5, 2006: verdict. December 26, 2006: appeal upheld. December 30, 2006: execution.
- Where
- Dujail, north of Baghdad, Iraq. The Iraqi High Tribunal tried the case in Baghdad.
- Why / motive
- The prosecution described the campaign as retaliation for an attempt to assassinate Hussein. That is the prosecution's account of the state's actions.
- Outcome
- Hussein was sentenced to death and hanged on December 30, 2006. Human Rights Watch documented serious fair-trial defects, which should be acknowledged alongside the conviction. His execution prevented completion of the separate Anfal trial against him.
Who is involved
- Saddam Hussein — subject
Sources
- Human Rights Watch — Saddam Hussein put to death“The Iraqi High Tribunal sentenced Saddam Hussein and two others to death in November for the killing of 148 men and boys”
- Human Rights Watch — The Poisoned Chalice“On December 30, 2006, the government of Iraq put former President Saddam Hussein to death by hanging”
- Human Rights Watch — The Dujail case and judgment“security forces detained over 600 men, women, and children, and tortured an unspecified number.”
Sources last checked: Not recorded · Dossier last changed: · Editorially reviewed: Not yet reviewed.