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FCO Minister calls for abolition of the death penalty in Japan

Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi commented on today’s executions in Japan.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

FCO Minister Baroness Warsi said:

I was saddened to learn that Japan has carried out three executions today, the first executions under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration.

I recognise that these three prisoners were convicted of serious crimes but it is the longstanding policy of the British Government to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, and in all countries. There is no conclusive evidence that it has any value as a deterrent, its use undermines human dignity and any miscarriage of justice is irreversible and irreparable.

I hope the Government of Japan will reconsider its policy on the death penalty and note the international trend towards abolition. I encourage the Government of Japan to establish a formal moratorium with a view to the eventual abolition of the death penalty.

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Published 21 February 2013