Chemical Ali

Saddam Hussein's notorious cousin " Chemical Ali" was convicted of crimes against humanity, and given his fourth death sentence. He was given the death sentence largely because of his involvement in one of the worst poison gas attacks of all time. Ali Hassan al-Majid is one of the last of Saddam's close friends from the former regime. The poison gas occurred in Halabja in Kurd in 1988, 5,600 people were killed in the event. This was "Chemical Ali's" fourth death sentence. The first three also occurred because of his involvements in other atrocities during Saddam's rule. Many people in Halabja still physical and mental illnesses from the release of mustard and nerve gas. Many feel that it is unfair that Saddam was hung after his first death sentence, and was obviously not in attendance at this trial. That is why now, one person can receive several death sentences, and then will be hung after this. "Chemical Ali" received one of his previous death sentences because of his role in the brutal fight against the Kurds in the 1980's, where hundreds of thousands were killed. The other two death sentences were: his role in the 1991 supresion of the Shiite uprising, and for his role in the 1999 crackdown that sought to quell a Shiite backlash to the slaying of Grand Ayatollah Mohamed al-Sadr.

          I personally think that everyone involved in Saddam Hussein's atrocities should be killed. Ten years in prison is not even close to being enough for being involved in killing hundreds of thousands. I think it is fair that "Chemical Ali" is receiving several death sentences so that people who have been effected by different cases can finally feel at ease. I do not agree with the fact that it has now been this long in between court appearances though. I think they should have been relatively close, and then he should be killed. It has now been years longer that he has been allowed to live.