Several papers this morning highlighted the remarks of the new Secretary General of the UN about the execution of Saddam Hussein. While the new SG did not express an opinion on the execution, he commented "the issue of capital punishment is for each and every member state to decide. At the same time I would hope that the international member states would pay due regard to all aspects of international humanitarian laws."
Mr. Ki-Moon also commented that Hussein "was responsible for committing heinous crimes and unspeakable atrocities against the Iraqui people. We should never forget the victims of his crimes." The LA Times framed this story as "His UN honeymoon is short-lived." I would frame it in a different way. Something like "What a welcome relief."
Think of what the new Secretary General said. He, as opposed to his kleptocratic predecessor, understood both the rule of law in each country as well as the broader, albeit less enforceable concepts of human rights. Part of those rights were the ones so consistently violated by Mr. Hussein.
One of Mr. Ki-Moon's aides said soon after "The UN policy still remains that the organization is not for capital punishment." Fine. But in this case a legally constituted government took action it deemed appropriate against a brutal former violater of human rights. In the end, I think Mr. Ki-Moon's remarks were quite fine by themselves. It is refreshing to see the new leader understand the appropriate role of the UN and not try to step in where no final concensus on issues among the nations exists. If this is the way he will work, he could help to restore the vibrancy of the organization very quickly from the prior disaster that was Annan.
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