The lives of 5 Mexican citizens are hanging in the balance as the United Nations’ top court hears a plea from Mexico to help save their lives. Mexico is accusing its neighbor to the north of disregarding a U.N. ruling which found that the 5 Mexican citizens, currently in prison, were denied assistance from their consulate. In his argument, Mexico’s top attorney Juan Manuel Gomez-Robledo spoke some chilling words before the court:

Mr. Gomez-Robledo said that without urgent action now, five Mexican citizens “will be executed before the conclusion of these proceedings.”

What’s making all of this so difficult is that U.N. decision applies to countries, not individual states, or so alleges Texas, the state that is holding the 5 Mexican nationals. George W. Bush, as president, has recognized the U.N. ruling but the state of Texas has not. I wish I could say I am surprised, but in state known for thinking it’s a country unto itself and — even worse — for refusing to consider evidence that appears in death penalty cases, executing potentially innocent people, this is no bigs news to me.

Via / Globe and Mail