Posted on 06/05/2008 1:05:45 PM PDT by SmithL
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) --
Mexico appealed to the U.N.'s highest court Thursday to block the executions of Mexicans in the United States, arguing U.S. officials have failed to comply with a judgment ordering a review of their trials.
The International Court of Justice said Mexico asked the court for an "interpretation" of an earlier ruling to clarify its meaning when it asked the U.S. to "review and reconsider" the cases of the condemned prisoners.
Until that can be done, Mexico said the United States "must take any and all steps necessary" to ensure that none of its citizens is executed, and asked the court to take urgent measures to intercede.
The court, informally known as the World Court, ruled in 2004 that the convictions of some 50 Mexicans on death row around the United States violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, which provides that people arrested abroad can have access to their home country's consular officials.
The court, which sits in The Hague, said the Mexicans should have new hearings in U.S. courts to determine whether the violation affected their cases.
President Bush accepted the judgment and asked state courts to review the cases. Texas refused.
Jose Medellin, a 33-year-old inmate condemned in the gang rape and murder of two teenage girls 15 years ago, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court on the basis of the World Court's ruling.
The Supreme Court rejected the appeal March 25, saying Bush had overstepped his authority when he ordered the courts to carry out the decision from The Hague and review the prisoners' cases.
The Constitution "allows the president to execute the laws, not make them," said the majority opinion.
Medellin's execution has been set for Aug. 5.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
His scheduled exucution is 8/5/08 if the state isn't blocked from carrying it out.
I will be waiting for this execution with great anticipation.
As far as Texas is concerned, states’ rights trump any and all international treaties, as they should. I wish CA felt and acted that way.
Last time I looked, the only people being executed were people who BROKE THE LAW OF THE LAND!
(And even then, it takes years of appeals to get THAT done!)
This monster is what the Mexicans are going to every length possible to save?
I think the Chinese use the right methodology, a single round to the back of the head followed by a bill to the family for the cartridge. Among other crimes that is the sentence for second drug related offenses. It definitely cuts down on the recidivism!
Regards,
GtG
President Bush actually did a good thing by challenging and getting it all the way up to the USSC, even though he lost, because now that the USSC has ruled there is no jurisdiction for the World Court.
Thanks for posting that.
Just because some Mexican forgot to get a visa doesn't mean that requirement can be forgotten.
American citizens, BTW, do not need to be added to anyone's visa.
There are tens of millions of people here claiming citizenship based on their anchor baby status who are simply not aware that their true status is that of stateless alien awaiting addition to their momma's visa!
Sorry I am handicapped. I only speak ENGLISH.
Darn link does not work. Sounds like timeless Monty Python though. I LOVE IT!
The jester is gesturing!
Forget Iran, Nuke Mexico.
Well, let’s just say that it would really get your point across to the whiners to the south of the US.
“The jester is gesturing!”
DOH! Must be an obscene *jester*
POTUS cannot stop a State execution. Nor can he pardon for State crimes. A little known fact, but true. He can only intervene with regard to federal crimes.
I came here like a shot looking for the story.
Ship the remains back to Mexico with a little American Flag to stick on his grave every Fourth of July so that everyone will remember him with due consideration.
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