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Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt condemns executions in Gaza

Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt comments on the execution of two people in Gaza on Tuesday.

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

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said:

“I strongly condemn the execution of Muhammad and Rami Abu Ganas by Hamas in Gaza on Tuesday 26 July. The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. It is particularly abhorrent where it is clear that defendants have had absolutely no access to a fair trial. As we made clear in our 2010 Human Rights Command Paper, we continue to have serious concerns about the application of the rule of law in Gaza. I call on Hamas to refrain from carrying out any further executions of prisoners and adhere to the Palestinian Authorities moratorium on the use of the death penalty.”

Published 27 July 2011