Edgar Tamayo Arias News: Australian Human Rights Group Condemns Execution

An Australian human rights group has contacted Latin Times to condemn the execution of Mexican national Edgar Tamayo Arias. The Australian Coalition Against the Death Penalty (ACAP) has written to Latin Times in a statement saying: "Our organization strongly condemns the setting of an execution date for the Mexican national by the US state of Texas. The execution would constitute a clear breach of domestic and international law, and is therefore considered illegal."

Dorina Lisson, President of the organization, has also revealed the Secretary of State John Kerry has contacted Texas Governor Rick Perry and the State Attorney General Greg Abbott, saying that "the execution of Edgar Tamayo could have serious diplomatic repercussions." Ms. Lisson has revealed that she has had personal correspondence with Mr. Tamayo Arias in which he reported his concern that Texas authorities refused him the right to seek consular assistance.

Edgar Tamayo Arias was arrested in 1994 for the murder of Police Officer Guy Gaddis in Houston: his execution date is set for January 22nd. However, his legal team is contesting the execution on the grounds that Mr. Tamayo Arias was not informed of his right to seek consular assistance, thereby violating Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), to which the US is a State Party. This same treaty allows American citizens to seek consular assistance while overseas.

Moreover, as President Lisson explains, "following medical examination Edgar Tamayo was diagnosed with 'mild mental retardation' in 2008. The execution of such individuals has been determined by the US Supreme Court to violate the US Constitution." In her correspondence with Mr. Tamayo Arias, Ms. Lisson indeed attests to the fact "it was clear [sic] that he would be well below normal intelligence."

Ms. Lisson conludes by saying "the US is Australia's closest friend and ally. Both countries are united in pursuit for human rights. We urge the Texas authorities not to execute Edgar Tamayo due to the above reasons."