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South Africans. Mr Eggar has agreed that in answering letters and PQs on this broad subject it is important that we should maintain a consistent line across the Office. This may not always be easy when we are lobbied on cases which clearly contravene international law on the use of the death penalty (eg unfair trial, use of the death penalty for other than the "most serious crimes", execution of minors, etc). Amnesty International are well aware of this and will, understandably from their standpoint,be looking for examples of inconsistency.
4. I should be grateful if all replies to PQs, letters, etc on the use of the death penalty could be cleared with Human Rights Unit who will, of course, also be happy to advise desk officers who have not needed to draft on this subject before. I attach extracts from the Amnesty Report on the countries covered by your department.
CB2AAT
Micle kha
مسلما
NA THORNE
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