Iraqi police arrested Ahmed al-Awlani, an MP and prominent Sunni supporter of anti-government protests, on Dec. 28 in the city of Ramadi. Awlani, a member of the Sunni-supported Iraqiya bloc was reportedly wanted on terrorism charges [4] along with his brother, Ali. Ali and five bodyguards were killed in the police raid, and 18 others were wounded. Awlani has been a strong supporter of a group of protestors who have camped on a highway outside Ramadi in order to rally against perceived persecution of Iraqi Sunnis by the Shia-controlled government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki [5]. Sectarian fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims has been considerable this year; over 8,000 people have been killed, mostly in sectarian clashes, since January, making 2013 the deadliest year for Iraqi civilians since 2008.
Authorities in Iraq have led a significant and controversial crackdown on alleged terrorists in recent months. In October Iraqi authorities announced the execution of 42 people [6] convicted on terrorism charges. The Iraq Ministry of Justice [7] in August reported the execution [8] of 15 men and two women convicted of terrorism. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay [9] in April condemned [10] Iraq's execution of 21 prisoners [11] convicted of terrorism earlier that month, urging the country's compliance with international human rights obligations.
From Jurist [12], Dec. 28. Used with permission.
The UN has warned in recent months of a human rights crisis [13] in Iraq, and especially noted the wave of executions [14].
