Court to Rule on Mexico Bid to Halt U.S. Executions

Court to Rule on Mexico Bid to Halt U.S. Executions

That's the title of a Reuters report from Amsterdam. It refers to the International Court of Justice, also know as the World Court. LINK

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 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.

Earlier coverage is here. More on Medellin I and Medellin II, via Oyez.org. Earlier coverage of Medellin v. Texas (Medellin II) is here.