Mexico formally protests Texas execution of Mexican naitonal, in violation of International Court

[Bluebear]

NUEVO LAREDO, Mexico - Mexico is protesting the execution of one of its citizens in Texas despite a world court ruling for a new hearing, expressing concern for the rights of other Mexicans detained in the United States.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Department said it sent a note of protest to the State Department about Jose Medellin's case, which drew international attention because of allegations that Medellin wasn't allowed to consult the Mexican consulate for legal help following his arrest...

An international court ruled in 2004 that the convictions of Medellin and 50 other Mexicans on death row around the United States violated the Vienna Convention, which calls for people arrested abroad to have access to their home country's consular officials.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the world court, said the Mexican prisoners should have new court hearings to determine whether the violation affected their cases.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080806/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_texas_execution

[HoboZombie]

1. They can protest all they want

The international court can rule whatever they want to. Medellin wasn't denied access, he never asked for it.

[Bluebear]

4. Gee welcome to DU

[asteroid2003QQ47]

2. violated the Vienna Convention!?

Medellin, 33, was condemned for participating in the 1993 gang rape, beating and strangling of Elizabeth Pena, 16, and Jennifer Ertman, 14. He and five fellow gang members attacked the Houston girls as they were walking home on a June night, raped and tortured them for an hour, then kicked and stomped them before using a belt and shoelaces to strangle them.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080806/ap_on_re_us/texas_execution

The only violation here is that some of his fellow perps are still alive!

[Bluebear]

5. No, this has to do with the International Court of Justice and the US

All the ICJ asked was that the case be reviewed, or did you think that that would encourage liberal judges to set him free and buy him candy?

[asteroid2003QQ47]

6. Review this!

Jennifer Ertman, 14, Elizabeth Pena, 16

[Bluebear]

7. Yeah, we are all thrilled that those girls are dead, is that what you're implying?

[asteroid2003QQ47]

8. To imply that would be irrational but...

asking for a review is not?

Is that what you're implying?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

9. The point of a review is the precedent it sets.

There is almost no doubt that in this specific case the man was guilty (there's never no doubt at all); it seems not unlikely that even if he had been properly tried he would still have been sentenced to death.

The harm that executing him without a review has done is that it has set a precedent for convicting other, possibly innocent, people without giving them a fair trial, or for sentencing them more harshly than would otherwise be the case.

[Bluebear]

10. Thank you :)

[Popol Vuh]

3. If I were the leader of Mexico

I would announce Mexico's withdraw from any and all extradition agreements.