Delay to Mexican man's execution

The execution of a Mexican prisoner in Texas has been delayed while the US Supreme Court considers whether it should go ahead.

Jose Medellin, convicted of the rape and murder of a teenage girl, was due to be given a lethal injection despite condemnation from around the world.

The International Court of Justice had ruled the execution should be stopped because it violates international law.

Texas says its courts are not bound by the rulings of the ICJ.

The ICJ ordered that the executions of all Mexican nationals should be suspended after Mexico complained that some of its nationals on death row had not been informed of their right to consular assistance during trial, a right under the Vienna Convention.

On Tuesday United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on the US to abide by the ICJ ruling.

"All decisions and orders of the International Court of Justice must be respected by states," he told a television station in Mexico City, where he is attending a world Aids conference.

"The United States should take every step to make sure the execution does not take place."

Medellin's case dates back to 1993 when two girls, Jennifer Ertman, 14, and Elizabeth Pena, 16, were raped and murdered by six gang members in Houston.

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