Iraq: Amnesty International appalled by execution of 12 Nepalese
Amnesty International is shocked by today's news of the execution of 12 Nepalese men who had been taken hostage in
Iraq. Amnesty International appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages and urges all
armed groups to cease such activities.
"Nothing can justify such horrendous acts that disregard the most precious right -- the right to life," said Amnesty
International. "These acts may have a negative impact for all Iraqis who are eager to live a normal life and see human
rights respected."
An Iraqi militant group called the Army of Ansar al-Sunna published pictures on a website showing the presumed bodies of
the hostages after their execution. The victims were employed by a Jordanian firm in Iraq. The group described the
killings as "the sentence of God against the Nepalese who came from their country to fight the Muslims and to serve the
Jews and the Christians ... believing in Buddha as their God." The group announced that it had kidnapped the 12 men
earlier this month.
"The brutality with which these and other hostages have been killed and the way their execution has been displayed show
the executioners' total disregard for human life," said Amnesty International.
Amnesty International appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of French journalists, Christian Chesnot and
Georges Malbrunot, whose kidnappers threatened to kill them unless the French Government reverses a ban on headscarf for
school girls in France.
The organization also urges the Interim Government of Iraq to maintain security, law and order and bring the
perpetrators to justice.
View all AI documents on Iraq: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacBwpaa9BNlbb0hPub/
Take action! Bring justice to thousands still illegally detained in Iraq: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacBwpaa9BNmbb0hPub/