France, Germany condemn executions

France and Germany on Sunday condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of 47 prisoners voicing concerns over growing tensions in West Asia following riots in Shiite-dominated Iran.

France “deeply deplores” Saturday’s mass execution, including that of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the foreign ministry said in a statement, calling on leaders in the region to “do everything to avoid exacerbating sectarian and religious tensions.”

France opposes the death penalty “in all places and circumstances,” it said, in comments echoed by Berlin.

Britain, which is careful to protect deep trade and investment links with Saudi Arabia, also reiterated its opposition to the death penalty in a statement which avoided mentioning Nimr directly. “The U.K. opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and in every country,” said a foreign office statement. 



Source:- The Hindu, 04-Jan-2016