Precautionary Measures
Resolution No. 22/22
PM 331-22 - Clarence Wayne Dixon, United States
On May 10, 2022, the IACHR decided to grant precautionary measures in favor of Clarence Wayne Dixon. According to the request, the beneficiary has been held in solitary confinement on death row in the state of Arizona. The request indicates that Mr. Dixon is at risk given the imminent execution of the death penalty, considering that he is a person suffering from multiple mental and physical health conditions. The applicant also filed a petition alleging violations of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man in relation to Mr. Clarence Wayne Dixon's rights to life, liberty, and personal security; right to a fair trial; right to humane treatment during deprivation of liberty; right to a regular trial; and right not to be subjected to cruel, infamous, or unusual punishment. Given that the risk of harm is imminent in the matter at hand, the Commission has ordered precautionary measures without having previously requested relevant information from the United States (pursuant to the exception provided for in Article 25(5) of its Rules of Procedure). Having analyzed the submissions of fact and law provided, the Commission considers that the information submitted shows prima facie that there is a serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm to Mr. Dixon’s rights to life and personal integrity in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure. Moreover, if Mr. Dixon is executed before the Commission has the opportunity to examine the merits of his petition, any eventual decision would be rendered moot, leading to irreparable harm. Consequently, the Commission requests that the United States of America:
- adopt the necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of Clarence Wayne Dixon;
- refrain from carrying out the death penalty to Clarence Wayne Dixon, until the IACHR has had the opportunity to reach a decision on his petition;
- ensure that Clarence Wayne Dixon’s detention conditions are consistent with international standards, giving special consideration to his disabilities and medical condition; and
- agree on the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and his representatives.
Resolution No. 12/22
PM 74-22 - Richard Eugene Glossip, United States
On March 3, 2022, the IACHR decided to grant precautionary measures in favor of Richard Eugene Glossip. According to the request, the beneficiary has been held for 23 years in solitary confinement on death row in the state of Oklahoma. The request indicates that Mr. Glossip is in a situation presenting a risk given the imminent execution of the death penalty, while even different dates have been scheduled for his execution. The applicant also filed a petition alleging violations of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man in relation to the rights of Mr. Richard Eugene Glossip to life, liberty, and personal security; right to a fair trial; right to humane treatment in custody; and right to due process of law and right not to receive cruel, infamous or unusual punishment. Having analyzed the submissions of fact and law presented by the parties, the Commission considers that the information submitted demonstrates prima facie that there is a serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm to Mr. Glossip’s rights to life and personal integrity in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure. Moreover, in the event that Mr. Glossip is executed before the Commission has the opportunity to examine the merits of his petition, any eventual decision would be rendered moot, leading to irreparable harm. Consequently, the Commission requests that the United States of America:
- adopt the necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of Richard Eugene Glossip;
- refrain from carrying out the death penalty on Richard Eugene Glossip until the IACHR has had the opportunity to reach a decision on his petition;
- ensure that Richard Eugene Glossip’s detention conditions are consistent with international standards; and
- agree on the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and his representatives.
Resolution No. 10/22
PM 1170-21 - Melissa Lucio, United States
On February 18, 2022, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of Melissa Lucio. According to the request, the beneficiary has been on death row in Texas, United States for 14 years. ?The request indicates that Ms. Lucio finds herself in a situation of risk given the imminent execution of the death penalty and?her current conditions of confinement. The applicants also filed a petition in which they allege violations of the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man with regards to Ms. Lucio’s rights to life, liberty and personal security, equality before the law, right of the child to special protection, fair trial, humane treatment in custody, due process of law and not to receive cruel, infamous or unusual punishment. Having analyzed the submissions of fact and law presented by the parties, the Commission considers that the information submitted demonstrates prima facie that there is a serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm to Ms. Lucio’s rights to life and personal integrity in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure. Moreover, in the event that Ms. Lucio is executed before the Commission has the opportunity to examine the merits of her petition, any eventual decision would be rendered moot, leading to irreparable harm. Consequently, the Commission requests that the United States of America:
- adopt the necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of Melissa Lucio;
- refrain from carrying out the death penalty on Melissa Lucio until the IACHR has had the opportunity to reach a decision on her petition;
- ensure that Melissa Lucio’s detention conditions are consistent with international standards, giving special consideration to her personal conditions; and,
- agree on the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and her representatives.