US 'regrets' Mexican executed without sentence review

Bs_logoImage
AFP Washington
Last Updated : Jan 24 2014 | 12:45 AM IST
The US government expressed regret today after Texas executed a Mexican convicted of murder before a review could be carried out into whether his case had been properly handled.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Washington had urged Texas authorities to look again Edgar Tamayo Arias' case, as he had been denied access to Mexican consular assistance.
"The department regrets Texas' decision to proceed with Mr Tamayo's execution without that review and reconsideration," Harf said, after a diplomatic outcry from Mexico.
Tamayo, now 46, was executed yesterday in Huntsville, Texas for the 1994 murder of a US police officer.
Mexico protested that his execution was illegal under international law, as he should have been accorded access to Mexican consular support at the time of his arrest and subsequent trial.
The State Department accepted this, and said Texas' decision to go ahead underlined the importance of the US Congress passing a law to mandate states respect America's international obligations.
In 2004, the International Court of Justice ordered the United States to conduct judicial reviews of the convictions and sentences of Tamayo and 50 more Mexicans denied consular assistance.
Harf said that the United States remains bound by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which also provides protection for US citizens arrested abroad.
"The Department of State had communicated these important interests to Texas authorities with respect to Mr Tamayo's case, including urging Texas to delay Mr Tamayo's execution," she said.
"This case illustrates the critical importance of Congress passing the Consular Notification Compliance Act, which would provide an additional mechanism for the United States to meet our international obligations.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories

  • Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 24 2014 | 12:45 AM IST