State Senator Rodney Ellis and Texas Southern University Law prof Mike Jackson have an OpEd in today's Houston Chronicle, "Perry has chance to show another side of Texas justice."
Last Wednesday's decision by the International Court of Justice, the World Court, ordering the stay of the executions of several Mexican inmates in Texas, pending review and reconsideration of their convictions, was the right thing to do. Before Gov. Rick Perry rejects this decision out of hand, he would do well to consider how defiance of the World Court ruling will affect the safety of Americans abroad who rely on the same treaty protections that Texas violated in these cases. Gov. Perry and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles should concur with the World Court and order a reprieve of the executions until those convictions are reviewed and reconsidered.
And:
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Gov. Perry can order a temporary reprieve of execution while the Texas Legislature produces legislation allowing review and reconsideration of the convictions. Such legislation is already before the U.S. Congress. In our great democracy, passing such laws cannot be done without full debate and consideration. Given the issues at stake for all Americans, it is only right that Congress and the Texas Legislature be given the opportunity to ensure our nation lives up to the promises it made to its treaty partners.
By granting a reprieve, Gov. Perry and the Board of Pardons will enhance the reputation of Texas and the United States throughout the world.
That may not mean much to some, but to the American missionary, teacher or tourist in Central Asia, in East Asia, Africa or the Middle East or elsewhere, it just might mean a lot.
Sunday's Newark Star-Ledger carried the editorial, "Congress must stop Texas."
If America ignores the legitimate objections of other nations to the treatment of their citizens by U.S. criminal courts, it greatly increases the chances other countries will snub American protests to treatment of U.S. citizens.
The key in the Texas case is that the World Court objections are, indeed, legitimate. The U.S. signed a treaty in 1964, along with more than 170 other countries, agreeing that foreign citizens charged with a crime must be given access to their nation's consulate.
Medellin, now 33, and the other Mexicans weren't given that opportunity. And although Texas Gov. Rick Perry doesn't think that's a problem, even the former Texas governor who now sits in the White House knows better.
Earlier coverage is here. More on Medellin I and Medellin II, via Oyez.org. Earlier coverage of Medellin v. Texas (Medellin II) is here.
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