The British Government says it hopes Sri Lanka will back a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka John Rankin said that in January last year, Sri Lanka was shocked and saddened by the execution of Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana Nafeek in Saudia Arabia.
With others, the UK had called for clemency, not least because Rizana was a minor at the time of the alleged murder. Around the world, many wept that she had not been shown compassion.
Later this year, the UN General Assembly will vote on the 5th resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The trend is clear: 2012 saw the biggest vote yet in favour of a worldwide moratorium on executions, by 111 states.
Although Sri Lanka still has legislative provision for imposing the death penalty, judicial executions have not been carried out since 1976.
John Rankin said he hopes that the memory of Rizana's death will help persuade the Sri Lankan government to vote in favour of a moratorium and, eventually, join the increasing ranks of countries that have abolished it altogether.
His comments were issued to mark the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The UK - along with fellow EU Member States - is a strong advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.
Source: The Sunday Leader, October 13, 2014
