Secretary Hague: Attack against civilians in Hama has no justification
Vigilance can confirm that Britain is not prepared to stand by and watch while the Syrian predator cum butcher Bashar al-Assad continues with the senseless killings of his people who are clamouring for a free and open society.
Expressing shock at the spate of violence in Syria, particularly the recent killings at Hama Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “I am appalled by the reports that the Syrian security forces have stormed Hama with tanks and other heavy weapons, killing dozens of people. Such action against civilians who have been protesting peacefully in large numbers in the city for a number of weeks has no justification.”
According to Hague the attack appears to be part of a co-ordinated effort across a number of towns in Syria to deter the Syrian people from protesting in advance of Ramadan.
Hague added: “The attacks are all the more shocking on the eve of the Muslim holy month. President Bashar is mistaken if he believes that oppression and military force will end the crisis in his country. He should stop this assault on his own people now.”
In another development, Foreign Office Minister David Lidington has condemned the
prehistoric justice system of death penalty currently in practice in Belarus.
Of the recent execution of two people in Belarus, Lidington said: "I was gravely concerned to learn that Belarus has recently carried out the death penalty on two of its citizens, Aleh Hryshkawtsow and Andrey Burdyka. I appreciate the seriousness of the crime of which they were convicted and I feel deeply for all those who suffered as a consequence. It is the longstanding policy of the UK to oppose the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle. I consider that its use undermines human dignity including of those ordered to carry out the execution, and there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value. Furthermore, any miscarriage of justice leading to the death penalty is of course irreversible and irreparable.”
Minister Lidington added: "I strongly urge Belarus to establish a formal moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of the death penalty, and to join with its European partners in establishing a death penalty-free zone across the whole of Europe. A moratorium would open up the route to eventual membership of the Council of Europe and encourage the integration of Belarus into the international community."