- English
- Español
IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Urges United States to Suspend Execution of Robert Gene Garza
September 18, 2013
Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urges the United States to suspend the judicial execution of Robert Gene Garza, a beneficiary of precautionary measures granted by the IACHR. The execution is scheduled to take place on September 19, 2013 in the state of Texas.
The IACHR granted precautionary measures to protect the life and physical integrity of Robert Gene Garza on August 16, 2013. The request for precautionary measures had been filed in the context of a petition alleging the violation of rights enshrined in the American Declaration, based on alleged due process irregularities. Through the precautionary measures, the Commission asked the United States to refrain from carrying out the death penalty until the IACHR had the opportunity to issue a decision on the petitioners' claims regarding the alleged violations of the American Declaration. The Commission is processing the case, which is currently in the merits stage of the proceedings.
The failure of a Member State of the Organization of American States to heed a request that it preserve a condemned prisoner's life pending review of his or her petition seriously contravenes its international legal obligations. This deprives condemned persons in the United States of their right to petition before the inter-American human rights system prior to the execution of the death penalty.
The Commission urges the United States to implement the precautionary measures regarding Robert Gene Garza until the Commission can issue a decision on the merits of this case, and to fully and properly respect its international human rights obligations, especially those derived from the American Declaration and the OAS Charter. In this regard, the IACHR expects the United States to suspend this execution.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in a personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this matter. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 67/13