Saudi Arabia: Anticipated Executions

Joanna Cherry Excerpts
Monday 17th July 2017

(7 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am sure the Whips mean well in advising on these matters, but they sometimes get the timing a bit wrong. When an hon. Member is receiving an answer to her inquiry, she should remain in her seat rather than beetling around the Chamber because some Whip suddenly wants to relay some piece of information. It is no doubt well intentioned, but misguided.

Joanna Cherry Portrait Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)
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In response to the recent spate of executions, Amnesty International has renewed its call on the Saudi Arabian authorities to immediately establish a moratorium on all executions as a first step towards abolition of the death penalty. Can the Minister lend his support to Amnesty’s calls?

Alistair Burt Portrait Alistair Burt
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As we are absolutely opposed to the death penalty in any circumstances, a moratorium is, in a sense, immaterial because we want to see the death penalty stopped everywhere.