United States: Governor, Board Urged to Halt Texas Execution

Human Rights Watch today urged Governor George W. Bush and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to halt the execution of a foreign national.

Authorities ignored Flores' right to consular notification even though the U.S. depends upon that right when Americans are arrested abroad. If the Mexican government had been given the opportunity to help Mr. Flores, the outcome of this case might well have been different. Allyson Collins   Senior Researcher

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Miguel Angel Flores, who was convicted of a 1989 rape and murder, is scheduled for execution today. Because he is a citizen of Mexico, the arresting authorities were obligated to inform him of his right to seek the assistance of his consulate. Texas law enforcement officials reportedly failed to do so.  
Both the Mexican government and the European Union's Delegation of the European Commission have asked Governor Bush to stop Mr. Flores' execution.  
 
"Authorities ignored Flores' right to consular notification even though the U.S. depends upon that right when Americans are arrested abroad," said Allyson Collins, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. "If the Mexican government had been given the opportunity to help Mr. Flores, the outcome of this case might well have been different."  
 
In letters to Governor Bush and the Texas board, Human Rights Watch also expressed its concern that Texas is increasingly relying on capital punishment despite new reports that its administration in Texas is deeply flawed.