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| Mexico Asks Court to Stop U.S. Execution of Mexicans |
| By Reuters |
| Published: 01/22/2003 |
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Mexico called Tuesday for urgent stays of execution for 51 Mexicans on U.S. death row as it opened a World Court case arguing the United States had violated their 'life or death' rights to consular help. Mexico says U.S. state and municipal officials breached an international treaty by failing to inform the Mexicans of their right to consular assistance after their arrests. In the highest-level bout of a lengthy fight with the U.S. over the treaty, Mexico wants the International Court of Justice to rule that the convicts should be retried because their rights were denied. But before the Hague-based court considers the merits of the case -- likely to take years -- Mexico wants an injunction forbidding the United States from executing any Mexican nationals or fixing execution dates for them. Juan Manuel Gomez Robledo, lead counsel for Mexico, told the highest United Nations court that the rights of Mexico and its nationals under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations were systematically breached by U.S. authorities. 'These repeated violations are particularly perturbing given that they have as a consequence the sentencing of an individual to death,' said Robledo. In its written court application, Mexico argued that communication with consular officials was crucial. 'It is Mexico's experience that the involvement of consular officers can make the difference between life and death for a Mexican national facing capital charges,' it said. The substance of the Mexican case covers 54 of its nationals in 10 states. But of those 54, three are in Illinois whose state governor this month took the unprecedented and widely lauded step of commuting the sentences of all those on the state's death row, declaring the execution system 'broken.' Mexico is thus asking for stays of execution on 51 inmates, since the Illinois three have already been spared. Its application to the court reflects deep disquiet among some of Washington's closest allies over capital punishment, which has led to protests from leading European states and Pope John Paul. 'Executions will be carried out unless the court grants the measures Mexico is seeking,' said Sandra Babcock, a lawyer for Mexico, adding that one of the prisoners could be executed in as little as a month if the World Court did not intervene. The United States rejected Mexico's arguments. 'We are here in strong objection to Mexico's request,' said William Taft, legal adviser to the State Department. |
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