Foreign Office Minister urges Japan to re-think policy on death penalty
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire: "it is the longstanding policy of the British Government to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances".
Commenting on two executions carried out in Japan yesterday, Foreign Office Minister of State, Hugo Swire, said:
“I was saddened to learn that, despite global opposition, Japan continues to carry out executions, with a further two warrants being signed and implemented yesterday. This includes the first execution of a woman since 1997, and brings the total number of executions during Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s administration to seven.
“There is no denying that the two prisoners were executed as a result of serious crimes, but it is the longstanding policy of the British Government to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. This applies as much to Japan as to any other country.
“I urge the Government of Japan to re-think its policy, in line with the international trend towards abolition of the death penalty. It is a punishment that undermines human dignity, and any miscarriage of justice is naturally irreversible and irreparable.”