State of Texas Defies World Court: Executes Mexican National

by Rhonda J Mangus | August 5, 2008 at 11:51 pm

500 views | 24 Recommendations | 14 comments

The United States has failed to inform 51 Mexican citizens sentenced to die in United States' jails of their right to consular assistance, and Texas defied the World Court by executing Jose Medellin at 9:57 p.m. CDT in a Huntsville, Texas death chamber.

He had been condemned for the 1993 rape and murder of 16-year-old Elizabeth Pena in Houston and lost his bid late Tuesday for a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The World Court last month ordered the U.S. government to "take all measures necessary" to halt the upcoming executions of five Mexicans including Medellin's on the grounds that they had been deprived of their right to consular services after their arrests.

Medellin's execution is sure to anger neighboring Mexico and analysts have said it could make life rough for Americans arrested abroad if other countries decide to evoke the U.S. example and deprive them of their right to consular services.

The political fall-out from the Medellin and related cases has reached the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S. President George W. Bush directed his native Texas to comply with a World Court ruling in 2004 mandating review of the cases of Medellin and other Mexicans in U.S. prisons awaiting execution. The U.S. Supreme Court said in March Bush's action had exceeded his authority.

The government of Mexico sent the U.S. State Department a diplomatic note of protest, expressing "its concern for the precedent" that the case "may create for the rights of Mexican nationals who may be detained in that country."

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Uwe Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 00:14 on August 6th, 2008

Rhonda J Mangus, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 00:24 on August 6th, 2008

Thank you, Paschen!

Rhonda J Mangus

at 02:18 on August 6th, 2008

Hi zichi! Thanks for your comment and the Flag! But, what do you mean "a very mixed up story?":)

Rhonda J Mangus

at 02:45 on August 6th, 2008

zichi, I agree. Justice is not the case here, and it is my opinion that State of Texas officials' response to the World Court falls nothing short of arrogance. (I hope you watched the video). I am disappointed in the Supreme Court ruling on this matter as well. It went out on a limb regarding detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and now fall short on civil and human rights for Mexican Nationals. Where is the logic? Too, contrary to the Supreme Court Decision, and flagrant arrogance of Texas officials, International law should be followed by all nations.

According to international law expert Sarah Cleveland, a professor of human and
constitutional rights at New York City's Columbia Law School, said if
the U.S. fails to act on the world court order, other countries may
follow suit.

"This can only come back to hurt U.S. citizens when they are detained
abroad," she wrote in an e-mail. " ... When a global leader like the
U.S. refuses to comply with its clear international legal obligations
(and everyone agrees that this is a clear legal obligation), it
undermines the willingness of other states to comply with their own
obligations and it inspires them not to trust us to obey ours."

I'll post the link to this quote shortly.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 02:48 on August 6th, 2008

zichi, as promised: http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/current-affairs/45641-world-court-vs-texas.html

Vinny

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:24 on August 6th, 2008

Rhonda J Mangus, sadly international law is often ignored by many countries.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 04:38 on August 6th, 2008

Vinny, thank you for your comments and the Flag! It's amazing, isn't it? I think it's time for a "crack-down" of sorts on the countries who do violate International Law -- we certainly don't want matters like this to set the stage for more human and civil rights violations.

PEP

at 06:45 on August 6th, 2008

Sorry, but I don't give a rip about this guy. Here's who he was:

"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." Fox News.

He later bragged about what he'd done. Let's see some key words: gang rape (by six men), beating, strangling, tortured, kicked, stomped.

Texas did the right thing. The World Courts or whatever/whoever need to understand that while they're worrying over pleasing them--an outside source--some American communities are going to follow their legal system,and deal with criminals.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 13:46 on August 6th, 2008

Hi PEP! Thank you for your comments. Your feelings are understandable and held by many. I disagree that Texas did the "right thing, and the wrongness of its action is the focus of this article. It is the case that the "worst of us" have human and civil rights. Therefore, human and civil rights violations cannot and should not be tolerated irregardless of the crime, or alleged crime, committed. Medellin's case (even though he was a National) is another clear example of indifference to the rights of others by various United States' officials "doing their own thing," and it extends to its very own citizens as well -- clearly a dangerous situation (my opinion). Thanks again!