UN’s top human rights official urges review of death penalty case in US

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, today called for a review of the death sentence imposed on Alexander Williams, who is scheduled to be executed in the United States state of Georgia on Wednesday.

In a statement, the High Commissioner pointed out that Mr. Williams was convicted of a killing which occurred when he was 17 years old, and cited “compelling evidence” that he suffered from serious mental illness. The statement noted that the UN Commission on Human Rights had called on governments not to impose the death penalty on persons suffering from “any form of mental disorder.”

In addition, Mrs. Robinson expressed concern over allegations that “lawyers representing Mr. William at his trial were incompetent”.

The High Commissioner’s statement came in support of two other UN human rights experts who have called for a commutation of the death sentence. “The High Commissioner, who is in New York on a brief visit, joins her voice with theirs,” the statement said. “She requests the authorities in the State of Georgia to not proceed with the execution and undertake a full review of the case of Alexander Williams.”