Saddam Hussein Trial International Poll

Half the UK public believes that, if convicted, Saddam Hussein should spend the rest of his life in prison (52%), rather than face the death penalty (42%), according to a new poll by Ipsos Public Affairs for Associated Press. In eight of the nine countries surveyed more people support life imprisonment over the death penalty (Spain 72%/14%, Italy 70%/20%, Germany 60%/34%, South Korea 56%/25%, France 53%/38%, Canada 48%/38%, Mexico 45%/26%). Only in the USA do more people support death penalty (57%) over life imprisonment (36%).

The survey also reveals that a majority in the UK believes Saddam Hussein is getting a fair trial (62%) -- in the US confidence in the trial is even higher at 73%, but this falls to just 20% in South Korea and 27% in Spain.

In the US (68%), UK (52%) and Canada (51%) at least half the public believe the people of Iraq are now better off than they were under Saddam Hussein. In France, Germany, Spain, Mexico and South Korea more of the public believe the Iraqi people are today worse off than better off as a result of the invasion.

Technical Details

• Conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for Associated Press
• Interview Dates: 10-19 February 2006
• All results shown are percentages unless otherwise labeled.

Q1 Do you think Saddam Hussein is getting a fair trial, or not?

Q2 If Saddam Hussein is convicted in his trial, do you think he should be sentenced to life in prison, or the death penalty?

Q3 Do In general, do you think the people of Iraq are better or worse off today than they were under Saddam Hussein?

Technical Details