Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Iraqi government to immediately declare a moratorium on all executions, with the aim of eventually abolishing the death penalty. This appeal comes in response to disturbing reports of the mass execution of 13 inmates in Nasiriyah's al-Hout prison, southern Iraq, on December 25, marking the first such incident since November 2020 when 21 individuals were executed for terrorism charges.

According to HRW's report, at least 150 inmates in Nasiriyah's al-Hout prison are currently facing imminent execution pending the approval of Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. Additionally, around 8,000 more prisoners, predominantly facing terror-related charges, are believed to be on death row.

The executed prisoners in Nasiriyah were reportedly denied the opportunity to consult with their lawyers or have a final meeting with their family members, raising serious concerns about due process. HRW cited an inmate who revealed these violations.

Human Rights Watch emphasized the flaws in Iraq's judicial system, asserting that defendants often face an unfair trial, further compounded by documented flaws in the country's legal proceedings. HRW's Iraq researcher, Sarah Sanbar, stated, “The renewal of mass executions in Iraq is an appalling development. The Iraqi government should immediately declare a moratorium on executions. These tremendous injustices are compounded by well-documented flaws in Iraq’s judicial system that deny defendants a fair trial.”

Criticism has been directed at Iraq for allegedly conducting hasty trials, denying defendants their right to a fair trial, and overlooking torture allegations, particularly in cases related to terrorism. HRW noted that some Iraqi judges have issued death sentences for mere membership in a terrorist organization, raising concerns about arbitrary application of the death penalty.

Since the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014, Iraq has detained thousands of individuals suspected of links to terrorist groups, leading to numerous executions. In 2022, Iraq ranked as the fourth country in the Middle East and North Africa region for the number of executions, according to Amnesty International.

Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Law of 2005 mandates a death sentence for individuals found guilty of committing a terror offense, and life imprisonment for those assisting or hiding those convicted of terrorism. The country also imposes death sentences for drug-related charges, with recent cases illustrating the severity of these sentences.

In response to the escalating issue, HRW has called on the Iraqi government to address the flaws in its legal system, declare a moratorium on executions, and work towards abolishing the death penalty. The international community closely watches the situation as concerns mount over the fair treatment of individuals within Iraq's judicial system.