Human Rights Watch urges Karzai to halt executions

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai should refrain from signing execution orders for about 100 prisoners and declare a moratorium on the death penalty, a leading rights group said Thursday. --- U.S.-based Human Rights Watch said Afghanistan's emerging legal system does not meet international standards for due process and fair trials in capital cases. The group opposes the death penalty in all circumstances.