Baroness Warsi (Conservative)
Since his speech on 19 August when President Jammeh pledged to begin executing death-row prisoners, the UK has made our opposition to the recent and sudden use of the death penalty in the Gambia very clear.
On 25 August, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my honourable friend Mr Burt, issued a statement expressing concern over the then-unconfirmed reports of executions. Our high commissioner in Banjul has made several representations to the Government of the Gambia, including the Foreign Minister and the Attorney-General, on behalf of both the UK and the European Union, both before and after the executions were confirmed. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has also made representations to the Gambian High Commission in London.
On 26 August, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Baroness Ashton, issued a statement condemning the executions and announcing that the EU would respond appropriately. On 12 September, acting as the local president of the EU, our high commissioner to the Gambia delivered a written statement outlining the EU's position to the Gambian Foreign Minister.
