INTERNATIONAL COURT OF WSTICE
Peace Palace, 2517 KJ The Hague. Tel: +31 (0)70 302 23 23. Cables: Intercourt,
The Hague. Fax: +31 (0)70 364 99 28. Telex: 32323. E-mail address:
[email protected]. Internet address: http://www.icj-cij.org.
Press Release
Unofficial
No. 2003/4
22 January 2003
Avena and other Mexican Nationals
(Mexico v. United States of America)
Conclusion of the hearings on provisional measures
THE HAGUE, 22 January 2003. The public hearings on the request for the indication of
provisional measures submitted by Mexico in the case conceming Avena and other Mexican
Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) were
concluded yesterday.
In its request, Mexico asked that, pending final judgment in the case, the Court indicate that
the United States take all measures necessaryo ensure that no Mexican national be executed and
that no execution dates be set for any Mexican national; that the United States report to the Court
the actions it has taken in that respect; and that it ensure that no action is taken that might prejudice
the rightsof the United Mexican States or its nationals with respect to any decision this Court may
render on the merits of the case.
At the hearings, Mexico, as the applicant State, spoke first. It was followed by the United
States of America. A second round of oral argument was held in the aftemoon. At the end of the
hearings, Mexico confirmed its request for the indication provisional measures while the United
States asked the Court to reject that request and not to indicate any such measures.
The Court's decision will be delivered in the coming weeks. It will be read at a public sitting
on a date which will be announced in a forthcoming press release.
Mexico filed its request for the indication ofprovisional measures on 9 January when it
brought a case against the United States in a dispute conceming alleged violations of Articles 5
and 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963 with respect to sorne
50 Mexican nationals who have been sentenced to death in certain states of the United States (see
Press Release 2003/1).
The verbatim records of the hearings are available on the Court's website (address:
http://www.icj-cij.org).
Information Department:
Mr. Arthur Witteveen, First Secretaryf the Court (t+l31 70 302 23 36)
Mrs. Laurence Blairon and Mr. Boris Heim, Information Officers (tel:1 70 302 23 37)
E-mail address: [email protected]
Avena and other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America) - Conclusion of the hearings on provisional measures