"Her execution is clearly contrary to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture," he said. The European Union The European Union expressed dismay that Saudi Arabia had beheaded Nafeek despite repeated appeals for a stay of execution. Asian Human Rights Commission In a letter to the UN High Commissioner and the President of Sri Lanka, the Asian Human Rights Commission said that Nafeek's execution was "nothing less than murder". France France condemned the execution of Nafeek and released a statement, "France condemns the beheading on January 9 in Saudi Arabia of Rizana Nafeek, a young Sri Lankan citizen, who was a minor when the crime occurred. As Mr. Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed, France expresses its firm and constant opposition to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances. It urges Saudi Arabia to put an end to the executions and to establish a moratorium. Britain Commenting on Nafeek's execution, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Alistair Burt said, "I condemn the execution of Rizana Nafeek in Saudi Arabia yesterday, despite the many appeals for her sentence to be commuted. The UK opposes all use of the death penalty as a matter of principle, whatever the crime committed. The beheading of Ms Nafeek is particularly concerning as reports suggest she may have been a child of 17 at the time the crime was committed. We also find the practice of beheading to be particularly cruel and inhuman. We continue to raise our concerns about human rights with the Saudi authorities, including its frequent use of the death penalty". Saudi Government's response The Saudi Government stated that the statements made by various organizations were not true and that she was given a proper trial. After the verdict, there were attempts by the government to obtain pardon from the baby's parents but they failed. Offer of cash to the family Nafeek's mother rejected offers of cash up to $16,000 from the Saudis. See also Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia Domestic workers convention Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia Women's rights in Saudi Arabia References External links Rizana Nafeek: another victim of Saudi Arabia’s ‘flawed’ justice system 17-years old Sri Lankan girl beheaded in Saudi Arabia Saudi’s action highlights slave-like conditions 1988 births 2013 deaths 21st-century executions by Saudi Arabia People executed by Saudi Arabia by decapitation People executed for