World Court: U.S. must delay Mexican death sentences

THE HAGUE (Reuters) - The World Court ordered the United States on Wednesday to do all it could to halt the imminent executions of five Mexicans until the court makes a final judgment in a dispute over suspects' rights.

One of the five Mexicans on death row, Jose Medellin, is due to die on August 5 in Texas. A gang member, Medellin was not informed of his treaty-based 'right' to meet a consular official from Mexico after his arrest for the June 1993 rape and murder of two teenage girls in Houston.

Mexico, which had asked the court for an interpretation of the U.S. assertions that its federal states have a large degree of legal autonomy and it cannot compel them to review the cases, welcomed Wednesday's ruling. "(We) hope the provisional measures will be duly observed, taking into account their legally binding nature," [snip]

The ICJ is responsible for handling disputes between U.N. member states. Its rulings -- which often take years -- are binding and not subject to appeal...

[the ceaseless assault on our sovereignty. Luckily, this time around we're talking Texas - I suspect the proper message will be sent]

READ MORE