Human Rights Watch says at least 65 prisoners have been executed in 40 days . The group said the executions were carried out by firing squads and that some of those killed had their hands tied behind their backs. Early this month , Justice Minister Hassan al-Shummari responded to the U.N. 's critique , saying , `` The implementation of fair punishment against terrorists and murderers comes in accord with the law of the state . '' Government `` seems to have given state executioners the green light '' Iraq 's Ministry of Justice calls it `` fair punishment against terrorists and murderers '' HRW : Many defendants in Iraqi courts are `` unable to pursue a meaningful defense ''
Human Rights Watch says at least 65 prisoners have been executed in 40 days . The group said the executions were carried out by firing squads and that some of those killed had their hands tied behind their backs. Government `` seems to have given state executioners the green light '' Iraq 's Ministry of Justice calls it `` fair punishment against terrorists and murderers '' HRW : Many defendants in Iraqi courts are `` unable to pursue a meaningful defense ''