Mexico moves closer to killing death penalty

[Judi Lynn]

June 24, 2005, 8:04AM

Mexico moves closer to killing death penalty
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's House Thursday approved a measure striking the death penalty from the constitution and inserting language expressly prohibiting capital punishment. The amendment now must be passed by legislatures in a majority of the nation's 31 states, where it is expected to face little opposition.

The Mexican legal system has not put anyone to death since 1961, and courts usually refuse to extradite suspects to the United States or other countries if there is a chance they could wind up on death row. But capital punishment is still technically legal, especially in military courts.

By a vote of 412-0, with two abstentions, lawmakers passed a measure approved in March by the Senate. The vote came during a special House session convened during what is normally a recess period.

The constitution's Article 14 reads "no one can be deprived of life, liberty or their property, possessions or rights without a trial."

It would be modified and new language inserted that forbids legal executions, mutilations and other forms of cruel and unusual punishment.
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http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/world/3239356
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[Horse with no Name]

1. Oh lordy

Mexico is more progressive than we are. Just shaking head...

[habitual]

2. Wrong Message

Using the death penalty on the death penalty sends a clearly condradictory message. :)

[Judi Lynn]

3. Ouch! That hurts.

http://www.millan.net.nyud.net:8090/anims/giffar/headache2.gif

[redqueen]

4. That's great news!

:bounce:

[jayfish]

5. Yeah Like *'s Gonna Allow That To Happen.

Arm, meet wringer.

Jay