Bushra Khalil
Encyclopedia
Bushra Khalil is a lawyer from Southern Lebanon
. Originally from the town of Jwaya, Khalil graduated from the Lebanese University
(UL) in 1979 with a Law degree
.
She is best known as one of the legal defenders of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein
when he was on trial for genocide
and crimes against humanity. Khalil joined Hussein's legal team just days after his capture in 2003; her participation attracted controversy because Khalil is a Shi'ite Muslim. She believed her status as a Shi'ite would render the prosecution of Hussein more difficult. Khalil is reported to be the only woman that met Hussein during the months of his trial. Khalil was repeatedly thrown out of court during Saddam's trials, after disruptive behavior and arguments with the judge. Khalil also represented other defendants associated with the Hussein regime, including former Vice President of Iraq
Taha Yassin Ramadan
. Her public role as a legal representative of the former regime caused her to face repeated death threats.
In previous years Khalil had campaigned repeatedly for a seat in the Lebanese Parliament
, but was never elected.
Southern Lebanon
Southern Lebanon is the geographical area of Lebanon comprising the South Governorate and the Nabatiye Governorate. These two entities were divided from the same province in the early 1990s...
. Originally from the town of Jwaya, Khalil graduated from the Lebanese University
Lebanese University
The Lebanese University is the only public institution for higher learning in Lebanon. Founded in 1951, it has 17 faculties as of 2006 and serves various cultural, religious, and social groups of students and teachers....
(UL) in 1979 with a Law degree
Law degree
A Law degree is an academic degree conferred for studies in law. Such degrees are generally preparation for legal careers; but while their curricula may be reviewed by legal authority, they do not themselves confer a license...
.
She is best known as one of the legal defenders of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
when he was on trial for genocide
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
and crimes against humanity. Khalil joined Hussein's legal team just days after his capture in 2003; her participation attracted controversy because Khalil is a Shi'ite Muslim. She believed her status as a Shi'ite would render the prosecution of Hussein more difficult. Khalil is reported to be the only woman that met Hussein during the months of his trial. Khalil was repeatedly thrown out of court during Saddam's trials, after disruptive behavior and arguments with the judge. Khalil also represented other defendants associated with the Hussein regime, including former Vice President of Iraq
Vice President of Iraq
As currently constituted, the state of Iraq has two vice presidents or deputy presidents. The office of Vice President is largely ceremonial but prestigious...
Taha Yassin Ramadan
Taha Yassin Ramadan
Taha Yasin Ramadan al-Jizrawi was a prominent Iraqi Kurd, serving as Vice President of Iraq from March 1991 to the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003....
. Her public role as a legal representative of the former regime caused her to face repeated death threats.
In previous years Khalil had campaigned repeatedly for a seat in the Lebanese Parliament
Parliament of Lebanon
The Parliament of Lebanon is the national parliament of Lebanon. There are 128 members elected to a four-year terms in multi-member constituencies, apportioned among Lebanon's diverse Christian and Muslim denominations. Lebanon has universal adult suffrage...
, but was never elected.
External links
- http://www.fanoos.com/society/bushra_khalil.html