USA - Texas. UN reaction to Humberto Leal's execution

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said today she deeply regrets the execution in the United States of Mexican national Humberto Leal, stating that it is a breach of Washington’s obligations under international law. “The execution of Mr. Leal García places the US in breach of international law,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who is currently on official mission in Mexico. “I am very disappointed that neither the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles nor the Governor took steps open to them to prevent this breach of the US obligations under international law from occurring,” she stated. “Today’s execution will undermine the role of the International Court of Justice, and its ramifications are likely to spread far beyond Texas,” Ms. Pillay said, noting that she had sent 2 letters on this issue to the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. “It is also the responsibility of all federal countries ensure that all individual states respect the international obligations assumed by the country as a whole,” she added.