How Congress governments responded to the execution of Saddam Hussein, the killing of Gaddafi, and attacks on diplomats

On December 30, 2006, shortly after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was executed in Baghdad, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing regret over the development. The MEA noted that India had earlier conveyed its hope that the death sentence would not be implemented and said it was disappointed by the execution. It added that the incident should not derail efforts toward reconciliation, peace, and stability in Iraq.

BJP questions Congress’ past stance on Saddam Hussein’s execution amid fresh row

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The issue resurfaced on Tuesday after Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in an article in The Indian Express, criticised the Centre for what she described as its “silence” on the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, the BJP questioned the Congress party’s past positions on similar international developments.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya asked why no senior Congress leader had written or spoken publicly in a similar manner when Hussein was executed. He questioned whether standards on human rights and democracy shifted depending on political considerations.

Hussein had been convicted by the Iraqi High Tribunal for crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. His execution came several years after he was captured by US forces on December 13, 2003. During his trial, Hussein maintained that he had been unlawfully removed from power and continued to regard himself as Iraq’s legitimate President.

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