An independent United Nations human rights expert strongly condemned the recent execution of 21 people within one day in Iraq, including three women, which was followed two days later by the reported execution of five more people. "I am appalled about the level of executions in Iraq. I deeply deplore the executions carried out this week, and am particularly alarmed about continuing reports of individuals who remain at risk of execution," said the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns. Refworld, 30/08/12