UN: accelerated Iraqi death sentences risk greater injustice

BAGHDAD – The U.N. says Iraq's attempt to fast-track death sentences handed out by the country's courts will result in greater injustice.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, says Monday that "given the weaknesses of the Iraqi justice system," he's concerned innocent people have been and will be executed.

Iraq's prime minister created a committee last month to help accelerate the implementation of death sentences after facing growing criticism for the lack of security in Baghdad.

According to figures compiled by Amnesty International, Iraq regularly ranks among the top five countries in the world for carrying out the most executions.

So far in 2016, Iraq has executed at least 105 people, according to the New York-based human rights monitoring group.