Archive | Vienna Convention on Consular Relations

14 July 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Editorial on Leal Execution; Other Media Coverage

Today’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram features an editorial on last week’s execution of Humberto Leal and the implications for the rule of law (“U.S. treaty promises must mean what they say,” July 14, 2011).  The editorial notes that “Though his case is over, that shouldn’t remove the urgency of Congress approving legislation to make clear that [...]

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23 June 2011 ~ 3 Comments

Houston Chronicle Calls for Stay of Execution for Humberto Leal

Today’s Houston Chronicle features an editorial that calls for a stay of execution for Humberto Leal, in light of legislation pending in Congress that would allow federal courts to review death penalty cases involving foreign nationals who were denied the right to contact their consular offices (“Keeping our word: Scheduled Texas execution violates treaty and endangers [...]

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14 June 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Federal Legislation Addresses U.S. Compliance with Vienna Convention on Consular Relations; Could Impact Cases in Texas

Today Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced federal legislation that aims to bring the United States into compliance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, a key treaty that provides citizens who are detained abroad with access to their consulates.  This legislation has implications for the case of Humberto Leal, a Mexican national who was not [...]

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10 June 2011 ~ 6 Comments

More on Humberto Leal, Violation of Vienna Convention

The Huffington Post features a blog from Sandra Babcock, the attorney for Texas death row inmate Humberto Leal (“Texas Execution Could Risk Americans’ Safety Abroad,”  June 9, 2011).  Leal faces a July 7 execution date, in spite of the fact that he was denied the right to contact the Mexican consul upon his arrest – [...]

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07 June 2011 ~ 0 Comments

Diplomats, Military Leaders, and Law Enforcement Urge Clemency for Humberto Leal

Today, attorneys for Humberto Leal Garcia filed a clemency petition with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Rick Perry, requesting a stay of his July 7 execution date. The petition states that Mr. Leal would not have been convicted and sentenced to death if the United States had complied with treaty obligations [...]

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