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        2024 01 26 UN Human Rights Briefing by Ravina Shamdasani on Alabama
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        Edited News

        UN Human Rights Briefing by Ravina Shamdasani on Alabama

        This follows the execution on Thursday night in Alabama of Kenneth Eugene Smith.

        We saw that the authorities issued a statement saying that it worked, and it is it’s a satisfactory method of execution. It is not. It is not. It could amount to torture, inhuman, degrading treatment in violation of the treaties, the human rights treaties that the United States has signed,” said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

        Shamdasani noted that, in addition to Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma have approved execution by nitrogen suffocation, and a bill has been presented in Nebraska to approve its use.

        So, we are very worried that this could open the door to further executions. And this is why we feel the need to speak out again clearly that this is not acceptable,” she told the regular press briefing in Geneva.

        We deeply regret the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama despite serious concerns this novel and untested method of suffocation by nitrogen gas may amount to torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” Shamdasani stressed.

        The death penalty is inconsistent with the fundamental right to life. We urge all States to put in place a moratorium on its use, as a step towards universal abolition,” Shmadasani said.

        ENDS

        For more information and media requests, please contact :

        In Geneva:

        Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

        Jeremy Laurence - + 41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

        Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org

        Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights


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