UN experts sound alarm over planned first US execution by nitrogen gas
Wednesday, 3 January 2024 U.N. Special Rapporteurs urge U.S. authorities not to execute Kenneth Smith using the untested method of nitrogen hypoxia, as it may constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Smith, who survived a botched lethal injection attempt, is scheduled for execution in Alabama. His lawyers argue that the gassing protocol may violate the ban on cruel and unusual punishments in the U.S. Constitution. Many U.S. executions use lethal doses of barbiturates, but some states face difficulties in obtaining these drugs due to an EU law prohibiting their sale for executions.
The UN condemns the execution of Kenneth Smith, who has become the first person in the United States to be executed using nitrogen asphyxiation. A spokesperson for the UN's Human Rights Commissioner..
Alabama is expected to move forward with the execution of a death row inmate later this month using nitrogen gas. 58-year-old Kenneth Smith is scheduled to be executed on January 25th.
Wednesday, 3 January 2024
![UN condemns Alabama execution that 'may amount to torture' [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240126/1364263135-UN-condemns-Alabama-execution-that-may-amount-to.jpg)
![United Nations Says Alabama Execution With Nitrogen Could Be Torture [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240119/1363909554-United-Nations-Says-Alabama-Execution-With-Nitrogen-Could.jpg)
![Minister Asks State For Extra Safety Precautions During Nitrogen Gas Execution! [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240119/1705672601-Minister-Asks-State-For-Extra-Safety-Precautions-During.jpg)
