The execution proceeded in defiance of the World Court in The Hague. International treaties give non-citizens the right to appeal to their own government's consulate for help. Medellin was never given that opportunity. There are about 50 other Mexican people on death row in the US in the same position.
Earlier this year, the US Supreme Court ruled that The Hague could not compel the state of Texas to delay or stay the execution. When Texas wants to kill someone, by god, they've got a right to do it, and don't stick your pretty little laws and treaties in our face!
In addition to the human rights issues here, the US has once again made its citizens less safe when they live and travel abroad.
But international legal researcher Mark Warren said there are greater issues at stake, and that as a result of the execution, other countries would no longer be obliged to offer Americans the protection laid out in the treaty.
"I think the U.S. is in a very difficult position now because of the obstruction and belligerence of the state of Texas," he said.
The rape and murder of two teenage girls is a horrific crime. The cold-blooded killing of another person is a horrific crime. One was committed by a person, one by an institution and laws created by people.
The more heinous the offence, the more important our opposition to capital punishment is.
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