The execution of 47 prisoners, and the Shiite cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, in Saudi Arabia, has caused an international vociferation. It also led to protests outside the Saudi embassy, in London.
Britain has expressed their dismay over the executions in Saudi Arabia, and they have insisted that intelligence co-operation between the UK and Saudi Arabia saved lives.
Political parties, such as Labour and the Liberal Democrats have increased the pressure over Saudi Arabia, and the Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn is expected too step in soon.
Foreign office minister, Tobias Ellwood had said, “I am deeply disturbed by the escalation in tensions in the last 24 hours in the Middle East. The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty. We have stressed this to the Saudi authorities. We are concerned to hear of the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran. It is essential that diplomatic missions are protected and respected.”
The treasury minister, David Gauke said, “The prime minister has made it clear that intelligence from Saudi Arabia has helped save lives and protect people in the UK. We have a relationship with Saudi Arabia where we are able to speak candidly to them.”
While the world remains aghast by the execution of the prominent cleric, Saudi Arabia has severed commercial ties and air links with Iran over attacks in retaliation. Protestors had firebombed the Saudi embassy in Tehran, Iran, as they were enraged with the cleric's capital punishment.
The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, declared that all flights to Iran would stop and all the citizens of Saudi Arabia will be banned from travelling to there. He also called for Iran to “act like a normal country”.
Most international leaders, including our Prime Minister David Cameron, “condemned the death penalty”. He said, “We want to see stability in the Middle East, not least because that will be absolutely essential for solving the crisis in Syria which is the source of so many of these problems.”
The US has also called for the two nations to show restraint as the uprise in tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia could further deepen proxy wars in Syria and Yemen.
In the UK, the last capital punishments took place in 1964, and the death penalty officially abolished in 1965 in Britain, and 1973 in Northern Ireland.
