Britain expresses concern at executions in Gaza

UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt expressed deep concern Wednesday over the execution of three men last Saturday in Gaza by Hamas movement. In a statement, Burt said "The British Government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle". The UK considers that its use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable, the Foreign Office minister added. In addition, he noted that the UK has called repeatedly for the implementation in Gaza of the moratorium on the death penalty which is present in the West Bank. The minister voiced the hope that this moratorium will lead to the eventual abolition of the death penalty in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.