DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS!
That is the message Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas delivered to President Obama, just prior to giving the go ahead to execute a Mexican national, in direct violation with an international treaty.
38-year-old Humberto Leal Garcia was executed last Thursday, despite the pleas of U.S. diplomats, the military, the Obama administration and at least one member of Congress, all of whom were unsuccessful in convincing Gov. Perry to honor the U.S. signed agreement.
Garcia was 21 when he was convicted in 1995 for the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl. Because Garcia was a Mexican citizen, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations allows for those who are arrested in foreign countries the right to have their consulate notified without delay, which allows their nation to provide them with an attorney or other needed assistance. But Garcia was never notified of these rights throughout his trial, so he never made contact with his consulate. Advocates for Garcia charge that his defense was grossly inadequate, believing that had he had access to better representation, he wouldn’t have been convicted or sentenced to death.
In light of Garcia’s unique case and the international treaty which protects him or any visitor to any foreign country (U.S. citizens abroad included), President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and other U.S. officials implored Gov. Perry of Texas to stay the execution. But Perry, who is said to be considering a run for president in 2012, snubbed his nose at the president and the U.S. government, claiming they had no jurisdiction over state affairs.
So Garcia was executed. But the greatest fear is now that the U.S. State of Texas has blatantly ignored the treaty, this sets up other nations to execute visiting Americans without permitting them to speak to the U.S. consulate for assistance.
Did Gov. Perry protect the local rights of his state as is his opinion? Or did he just lay the foundation for a devastating international incident?
