The Demonization of Saddam Hussein

The man stirred controversy while he lived. He courted the same in death; the Saddam Hussein chapter is certainly not closed in history. The White House may use his death to prove to the world that there is indeed a functioning government in Iraq. A democracy, which upholds the rule of law. A government which held Saddam Hussein on trial for his crimes and finally handed him the death sentence- hanging from the gallows until dead. Official reports that were initially released claimed the execution was prompt and swift and calm.

However, someone had filmed the course of events with a mobile phone, probably smuggled inside. And now the world knows that the entire process of execution was a mockery of democracy. U.S. based media analyst Danny Schechter described the execution as a "colonial hanging." Saddam was taunted by unidentified voices, perhaps the hangmen or the security guards. Shiite slogans and sectarian taunts were repeatedly hurled at Saddam and one voice said, "You will go to hell."

The abuse of prisoners in Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay is only too recent in public memory. The point is that the current administration in Iraq is no different from the one it replaced- there is the same rancor, spirit of revenge and violence towards the opponents. Medieval notions of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth still exist in Iraq. The Iraqi government decided for a quick execution after the highest court rejected an appeal on the death sentence on December 25. The last final act against Saddam would, hopefully, send the message to the Sunnis and the Baath party that their days were over. The truth is, however, that the Sunnis now regard Saddam as a martyr and have reunited to protest against what they perceive to be Shia revenge against the Sunnis. Far from letting matters to rest, the sectarian divide is even wider than before and has led the country into a fresh round of violence.