UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Alabama execution, Tuesday 16 January
/
3:00
/
MP4
/
437.4 MB

Edited News | UNOG , OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Alabama execution, Tuesday 16 January

At the Bi-weekly press briefing of the United Nations in Geneva, UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani made the following comments on the Imminent execution by nitrogen asphyxiation in Alabama.

“We are alarmed by the imminent execution in the United States of Kenneth Eugene Smith, through the use of a novel and untested method – suffocation by nitrogen gas. This could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under international human rights law,” Shamdasani said.

The UN Human Rights Office calls on Alabama state authorities to halt Smith’s execution, scheduled for 25-26 January in Alabama, and for the authorities to refrain from taking further steps towards any other executions in this manner. Alabama already sought to execute Smith unsuccessfully by lethal injection, in 2022, and he has ongoing proceedings in federal court against his upcoming execution, proceeding which have not been finally resolved.

“Nitrogen gas has never been used in the United States to execute human beings. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends giving even large animals a sedative when being euthanized in this manner, while Alabama’s protocol for execution by nitrogen asphyxiation makes no provision for sedation of human beings prior to execution. The protocol also refers to the odourless and colourless gas being administered for up to 15 minutes. Smith has also advanced, with expert evidence, that such an execution by gas asphyxiation in his case risks particular pain and suffering,” she said.

We have serious concerns that Smith’s execution in these circumstances could breach the prohibition on torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as his right to effective remedies. These are rights set out in two International Human Rights treaties where the United States is bound by – these include the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,” the spokesperson said.

The Human Rights Committee, which is the international body charged with monitoring the implementation of the Covenant around the world, has also criticized the use of asphyxiation by gas as an execution method, the use of untested methods, as well as widening the use of the death penalty in States that continue to apply it.

“The death penalty is inconsistent with the fundamental right to life. There is an absence of proof that it deters crime, and it creates an unacceptable risk of executing innocent people. Rather than inventing new ways to implement capital punishment, we urge all States to put in place a moratorium on its use, as a step towards universal abolition,” Shamsdasani said.

The UN’s position is very clear we are against the death penalty we are against people being killed for having committed crimes. There is an absence of evidence that this deters crimes in any way. On the other side, there is a lot of evidence that the death penalty has been used in cases of miscarriages of justice that it is used against people who later turn out to be innocent, that is used disproportionately against minorities, in the US against people of African descent, it’s disproportionately used against people who don’t have the mean to defend themselves with proper legal representation of their choosing,” the spokesperson said.

For more information and media requests, please contact:

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

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org or

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

Tag and share

Twitter @UNHumanRights

Facebook unitednationshumanrights

Instagram @unitednationshumanrights

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

STORY: UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Imminent execution by nitrogen asphyxiation in Alabama

TRT: 02:59
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/French / NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 16 January 2023 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST

  • Exterior shot: Wide shot entrance of Palais des Nations
  • Wide Shot: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR): “We are alarmed by the imminent execution in the United States of Kenneth Eugene Smith, through the use of a novel and untested method – suffocation by nitrogen gas. This could amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under international human rights law.”
  • Cut aways: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR): “Nitrogen gas has never been used in the United States to execute human beings. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends giving even large animals a sedative when being euthanized in this manner, while Alabama’s protocol for execution by nitrogen asphyxiation makes no provision for sedation of human beings prior to execution. The protocol also refers to the odourless and colourless gas being administered for up to 15 minutes. Smith has also advanced, with expert evidence, that such an execution by gas asphyxiation in his case risks particular pain and suffering.”
  • Cut aways: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR): We have serious concerns that Smith’s execution in these circumstances could breach the prohibition on torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as his right to effective remedies. These are rights set out in two International Human Rights treaties where the United States is bound by – these include the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.”
  • Cut aways: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR): “The death penalty is inconsistent with the fundamental right to life. There is an absence of proof that it deters crime, and it creates an unacceptable risk of executing innocent people. Rather than inventing new ways to implement capital punishment, we urge all States to put in place a moratorium on its use, as a step towards universal abolition.”
  • Cut aways: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR): The UN’s position is very clear we are against the death penalty, we are against people being killed for having committed crimes. There is an absence of evidence that this deters crimes in any way. On the other side, there is a lot of evidence that the death penalty has been used in cases of miscarriages of justice that it is used against people who later turn out to be innocent, that is used disproportionately against minorities, in the US against people of African descent, it’s disproportionately used against people who don’t have the mean to defend themselves with proper legal representation of their choosing.”
  • Cut aways: Briefing room
  • SOUNDBITE (English) – Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR):
  • Cut aways: Briefing room


Documents 1
Download Storyline
Download

Audio Files 1
Download UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on Alabama execution, Tuesday 16 January (Edited Story)
Download

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Syria

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Syria ENG FRA

The appointment on Thursday of Karla Quintana as head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic is a key development after nearly a year and a half of work by the UN Human Rights Office supporting the institution’s launch. 

Middle East crisis updates - IOM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO 20 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | IOM , UNICEF , UNRWA , WHO

Middle East crisis updates - IOM, OHCHR, UNICEF, UNRWA, WHO 20 December 2024 ENG FRA

The head of the UN migration agency stressed on Friday that Syria is in no position to take back millions of Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, while there is an urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions impacting the war-ravaged country.

Syria update IIIM - UNHCR 17 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | IIIM , UNHCR

Syria update IIIM - UNHCR 17 December 2024 ENG FRA

Syria: ‘Key priority’ is to preserve evidence of crimes – UN investigators

In Syria, new access to evidence of horrific human rights violations means that accountability may be closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved, a top UN investigator said on Tuesday.

Syria prisoners and missing – OSE, ICRC, UNHCR 13 December 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | OSE , ICRC , UNHCR

Syria prisoners and missing – OSE, ICRC, UNHCR 13 December 2024 ENG FRA

Syria: UN and partners urge action to preserve evidence of prison atrocities, stabilize country

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria five days ago, hundreds of people have rushed to Saydnaya prison, desperate to find loved ones. Disturbing images from the prison and other detention centers have since surfaced, exposing the “unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured for years,” said Jenifer Fenton, spokesperson for the UN special envoy for Syria, on Friday. 

Gaza humanitarian update - UNRWA

1

1

2

Edited News | UNRWA

Gaza humanitarian update - UNRWA ENG FRA

Gaza: “Sickening normalisation” of suffering, amid attacks on people and aid convoys
Ongoing military operations by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza continue to devastate Palestinian children and families, with mounting casualties and a critical lack of humanitarian aid for the desperate population.
“Local media reporting here that last night, 30 people were killed in this area in strikes” said a senior emergency officer with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Louise Wateridge, speaking to reporters in Geneva from central Gaza.

OHCHR Press Conference: Human Rights in Gaza and OPT - 11 December 2024

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR

OHCHR Press Conference: Human Rights in Gaza and OPT - 11 December 2024 ENG FRA

Rights experts call for end to impunity for Israel’s violations of international law

Four independent human rights experts have jointly called for the international community to sanction Israel’s conduct of hostilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as in the wider Middle East region - including in Syria, Lebanon and Iran. They also called for the restoration of trust in the international justice system through the abandonment of “extreme interpretations” and “double standards” in the application of the universal norms regulating the conduct of war. 

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - UNHCR

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNHCR

Syria humanitarian update OCHA - UNHCR ENG FRA

Syria: needs continue to grow amid highly uncertain situation, say aid teams

The historic power shift in Syria and the still volatile situation two days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime have increased humanitarian needs in a country where nearly 17 million people, including millions of internally displaced, already depended on humanitarian aid before the recent events, UN aid teams said on Tuesday.

 

Press Conference: Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria

2

1

3

Edited News , Press Conferences | OSES

Press Conference: Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy for Syria ENG FRA

Barely 48 hours since opposition forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into Damascus and forced out President Bashar al-Assad, the top UN negotiator tasked with helping Syrians’ create a peaceful and democratic future insisted that nothing could be taken for granted.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk press conference remarks

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk press conference remarks ENG FRA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday called on States to do all in their power to end senseless conflicts and suffering.

Gaza hospital attack - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza hospital attack - WHO ENG FRA

No evacuation order given before Kamal Adwan Hospital strike, says WHO
One of the last partially functional health centres in northern Gaza was reportedly hit again overnight into Friday by several strikes, leaving four health workers among the casualties and the dead, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Syria, Lebanon update – OCHA, WFP, World Vision International

2

1

2

Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA

Syria, Lebanon update – OCHA, WFP, World Vision International ENG FRA

More than 280,000 people have been uprooted in northwest Syria in a matter of days following the sudden and massive offensive into Government-controlled areas led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is sanctioned by the Security Council as a terrorist group. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Georgia

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Georgia ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has called on the Georgian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly following several nights of protests that were marred by violence, and dispersed using disproportionate, and in some cases unnecessary, force by the police in the capital, Tbilisi.