Spate Of Executions In Iraq

Iraq's Justice Ministry says 11 people convicted of terrorist offenses have been hanged to death.

The executions bring to at least 37 the number of people put to death in Iraq since January 19, when 26 people were executed for terrorism.

Iraqi authorities have faced repeated criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups over the high rate of executions.

But Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki has defended the practice, saying Iraqis do not accept murderers being allowed to live.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says at least 151 people were executed by Iraqi authorities in 2013, placing the country third behind China and Iran for most executions.

HRW says the Iraqi Justice Ministry rarely provides information about the charges against those executed or the evidence presented against them at trial.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters