Thread: World Court to rule on Mexico bid to halt U.S. executions

Court to rule on Mexico bid to halt U.S. executions

Posted 2008/07/11 at 8:44 am EDT

AMSTERDAM, July 11, 2008 (Reuters) — The World Court said on Friday it will rule next week on a Mexican request that it seek a delay of the imminent U.S. executions of five of its citizens, who Mexico argues were denied consular assistance.

One of the of the five on death row, Jose Medellin, is due to die on August 5 in Texas, prompting Mexico to make its petition last month for urgent action.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will issue its decision on July 16.

The ICJ in The Hague ruled in 2004 that the United States had violated international law by failing to inform 51 Mexicans on death row of their right to consular assistance and said the cases should be reviewed.

Mexico opposes the U.S. death penalty and the issue has strained relations between the two neighbors.

In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush, a staunch defender of the death penalty, directed state courts to review the 51 cases following the World Court's ruling, saying the United States must adhere to its international treaty obligations.

But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in March that Bush overstepped his authority when he directed Texas to comply with the ICJ's ruling and reopen the case against Medellin.

A gang member, Medellin was denied the right to meet with a consular official from Mexico after his arrest for the June 1993 rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston. The killings were linked to a gang initiation.

Under the Vienna Convention, foreign nationals have a right to talk to consular officers after their arrests.

Texas has acknowledged Medellin was never told he could talk to Mexican officials. But it has argued that claim cannot be made now because he never raised it at trial or sentencing.

Even if his treaty rights had been violated, it would not have made any difference in the outcome of the case, Texas said.

The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is responsible for handling disputes between U.N. member states. Its rulings -- which often take years -- are binding and not subject to appeal.

(Reporting by Alexandra Hudson)

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/l11605 ... o-usa-icj/

the supreme court of the US has already ruled in this case.
why is it going back in front of the world court

This murderer deserves the same torture, rape, and strangulation he gave his young female victims. Who defended their rights?

The Supreme Court ruled on this. Why are we still spending money to defend our rights as a soveriegn nation?

Why doesn't the World Court do something about Saudi Arabia cutting off the hands of thieves?

The World court can stay out of our business!

World Court has no jurisdiction over this matter. The United States of American answers to the Supreme Court of the United States and they have already ruled on this matter.

So mexico can get lost! If mexico does not want their scum bag illegal invaders who rape and murder American citizens to be executed, they should keep them in their own cesspool of a country!

Who cares what the World Court says! They should not meddle with US laws.

WATCH jORGE BOOSH GET A HOLD OF THIS ONE

I want 1 good reason why these criminals should not be put down for what they have done!!!!!!!!!!!

The World Court needs to butt out of America's affairs. These Mexican monsters have already received their sentence from OUR courts.

Mexico should stop helping all of its murderers, rapists, molesters, theives, and drunks from illegally crossing our borders. Let Mexico punish them.

HAHAHAHAHA the world court can KMA!

AUGUST 5th, baby!!! I'm having a FIESTA! OLE!