The Rule of International Law Disregarded

Texas Governor Perry's decision to go ahead and execute the Mexican man who was not afforded the right under international law to have the assistance of his consulate when arrested for murder 17 years ago is extraordinary. Not even Obama's plea was enough to dissuade him from carrying out the death sentence that, truth be told, was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, a backing that, obviously, emboldened the governor in his deathly pursuit.

Of course, it must be said that, despite its protestations in this case, the U.S. has never had international law in a high regard. Whenever international law has not suited its purposes, the American government has always chosen to disregard it, claiming that they don't feel bound by it. So, in a way, they have no one to blame but themselves, for having fostered the disrespect that they now complain about.

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