Asa Hutchinson: “freedom of speech does not exist in Iraq, and summary executions are commonplace. Torture is seen as a legitimate tool…”

“freedom of speech does not exist in Iraq, and summary executions are commonplace. Torture is seen as a legitimate tool of control, and violence against women is not just condoned but perpetrated by the Iraqi government. Political opponents of Saddam Hussein are subject to unimaginable cruelty. They are jailed without cause. Amnesty International reports ``Detainees have been threatened with bringing in a female relative, especially the wife or the mother, and raping her in front of the detainee. Some of these threats have been carried out.'' In 1997, the UN reported that Iraq executed more than 1,500 people for political reasons. There are even reports that the victims families are forced to pay the cost of the execution. Saddam stays in power through fear. It is terror--sheer terror--that sustains his evil regime. Saddam Hussein has never been called to account for the Kuwaitis that are still missing from the Gulf War. There are still 609 cases of missing Gulf War POW/MIAs. Included in that number is one American Navy Pilot. The Iraqi government continues to refuse to provide full information about his fate. The passage of this resolution will provide the President with authority he requires in order to address the grave threat posed by Iraq. I fully support his efforts to rally the international community, and believe that a strong vote on this resolution will strengthen his case before the United Nations.”