Medellín v. Texas

Abstract

Relationship of international law and municipal law — Treaties — Judgment of International Court of Justice — Whether giving rise to rights and obligations enforceable in national courts — Judgment of the International Court of Justice regarding the right to consular access in death penalty cases — United States found to have violated Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 — International Court determining that United States was required to give effect to judgment — Whether applicable in courts of Texas and of the United States — Presidential Memorandum on giving effect to judgment of the International Court of Justice — Whether President entitled to override Texas law

Treaties — Vienna Convention on Consular Relations — Right of access to consul for arrested person — Judgment of International Court of Justice in Avena case — Domestic enforceability of judgment

International Court of Justice — Judgment — Binding quality — Duty of States to comply with judgment of International Court of Justice — Whether judgment self-executing within United States legal system

Human rights — Right to life — Death penalty — Judgment of International Court of Justice in Avena — The law of the United States