Why is Saddam on trial?

[Donut]

If he's guilty what is the point of him getting a trial?

[Xen]

AFAIK there is a rule: "not guilty until proven otherwise". Of course everyone knows that he is guilty, they just need to prove it and justfy it I think. It`s all a mask, he will be convicted in the end.

[dplax]

He is on trial for the same reason that the nazis were on trial in Nurnberg. We knew they were guilty, but because of fairness and the preservation of democracy it had to be proven on trial.

[johnny]

Don't you want some good reality TV ?

[Stratos]

Originally posted by johnny: Don't you want some good reality TV ?

I've heard they gonna vote him out.

Originally posted by Xen: AFAIK there is a rule: "not guilty until proven otherwise". Of course everyone knows that he is guilty, they just need to prove it and justfy it I think. It`s all a mask, he will be convicted in the end.

As far as I know that RULE only applies to the United States...Im not sure about every other nation in the world.

Besides, the Trial for Saddam who's actions are a matter of public record (they really are) the question isn't really about guilt or innocence, it is about deciding what punishment is deserved...so basicly the trial will set the tone for the sentencing phase of things. so the trial is still necessary...even if we kalready know he is guilty due to public record.

[Gangrell]

Originally posted by johnny: Don't you want some good reality TV ?

No, I have my life thanks [img]tongue.gif[/img]

He's just being put on trial because that is just the way the court system is set up in the US, and like MagiK said, it's just to set how his punishment will be, when in reality, there really isn't one suitable for a guy that has done the things he has.

[wellard]

The trial is not to prove him guilty (he already is) It’s to make him and the Iraq nation have the details of the crimes he has committed proved beyond doubt. To actually fully accept and to publicly air what has gone on in the past is important, you have to address the past before you can go foreword.

Secondly it is also an important act of the new regime flexing its muscle and showing the world that it is now in control and to be seen to be in control. Yes that makes it a show trial but its non the less valid for that.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly it gives the survivors and family’s of the victims of this evil man a small token of closure and justice.

[Donut]

Originally posted by wellard: The trial is not to prove him guilty (he already is) It’s to make him and the Iraq nation have the details of the crimes he has committed proved beyond doubt. To actually fully accept and to publicly air what has gone on in the past is important, you have to address the past before you can go foreword.

A sort of show trial you mean?

Originally posted by wellard: Secondly it is also an important act of the new regime flexing its muscle and showing the world that it is now in control and to be seen to be in control. Yes that makes it a show trial but its non the less valid for that.

The US government is in control and it is they that decide how the trial proceeds.

Originally posted by wellard: Thirdly and perhaps most importantly it gives the survivors and family’s of the victims of this evil man a small token of closure and justice.

Agreed

[Stratos]

Gaddafi daughter to defend Saddam
The daughter of Libya's leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has joined Saddam Hussein's defence team.
Aisha Gaddafi, in her mid-20s, joins 20 to 30 lawyers involved in the ousted Iraqi leader's defence, lawyer Mohammed al-Rashdan told BBC News Online.

Mr Rashdan said it had not been decided what role the law graduate would play.

Saddam Hussein made his first court appearance on Thursday to hear seven preliminary charges read out to him, including genocide.

Colonel Gaddafi has publicly defended Saddam Hussein and berated Arab leaders who he accuses of co-operating with the US.

Death threats

Mr Rashdan, a Jordanian, said as many as 1,500 lawyers had expressed an interest in defending "President Saddam Hussein".

But, he said, 20 to 30 were actively involved at the moment - from France, the UK, the US and Belgium, as well as Arab countries like Lebanon and Libya.
They wanted to travel to Iraq to see their client as soon as possible but wanted guarantees on security from Iraqi and US officials, Mr Rashdan said.

"We have been receiving many death threats" from Iraq, Mr Rashdan told BBC News Online, sometimes from Iraqi religious figures.

He said if no security guarantees were given, Saddam Hussein's lawyers would still go to Baghdad, accompanied by Western media journalists.
-------------------------------------------------
PRELIMINARY CHARGES
Anfal campaign against Kurds, late 1980s
Gassing Kurds in Halabja, 1988
Invasion of Kuwait , 1990
Crushing Kurdish and Shia rebellions after 1991 Gulf War
Killing political activists over 30 years
Massacring members of Kurdish Barzani tribe in 1980s
Killing religious leaders, 1974
-------------------------------------------------
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...st/3862875.stm


Published: 2004/07/03 12:59:26 GMT

© BBC MMIV

Edit: Moved down the Preliminary charges section to the bottom for clarity.

[ 07-03-2004, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]