White House Seeks Review of Death-Row Case

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is asking Texas to conduct new hearings for 51 Mexicans on death row who say they were denied legal help from their consulates in violation of international law.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague (news - web sites) last year ruled that the convictions violated the 1963 Vienna Convention by not providing the Mexicans with consular access. In 1969, the Senate ratified the treaty, which requires such access for Americans detained abroad and foreigners arrested in the United States.
...
Medellin is backed in his appeal by dozens of countries, legal groups and human rights organizations, as well as former American diplomats and the European Union (news - web sites).

The filing by Acting Solicitor General Paul Clement argues that it is President Bush (news - web sites)'s decision, not the court's, to determine whether the United States should comply with international law. Nevertheless, the administration has chosen to do so in this case, states the Feb. 28 filing, which was circulated Monday by the court

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050308/ap_on_go_pr_wh/scotus_death_penalty

[rodeodance]

1. gosh, did I read this right? Is Bush caving to international pressure?

[rodeodance]

2. no--on 2nd thought, bush just wants to appease mexico.

[Sunny_Sunshine]

3. It's Bush's decision, not the courts, to follow the law?

Did I read that right? When the Senate ratifies a treaty, it becomes US law, how can a president decide not to follow US law?

[Kimber Scott]

4. All Hail, King George.

Everyday, my belief in this country sinks just a little further. Most of us, even on the "other side" of the fence are normal, hard-working, good-hearted, down-to-earth people who's country is being raped by the bastard in the White House. He either fools us, or he doesn't, but whatever side of the idealogical line we walk on, he's screwing us all - and the rest of the world, too.