Talabani calls for respecting human rights

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Saturday called for entrenching the rule of law and respect for human rights, pledging to do his best with the Supreme Judicial Council to accelerate cases of detainees from the Sadrist Movement, or Iraqis loyal to Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr. “Talabani received a delegation from the Sadrist Movement led by legislator Falah Shanshal and discussed with the conditions of Sadrist detainees,” according to a presidential release received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The Iraqi president pledged to intervene with the Supreme Judicial Council to accelerate rulings on cases involving Sadrist Movement members inside Iraqi jails in a way that “would guarantee the observance of proper legal procedures”. Talabani also underlined the need to respect the rule of law and human rights in Iraq, conveying his greetings to Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr. AmR (P) 1