Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America) (Mexico v. United States of America) - The Cou

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, 2517 KJ The Hague, Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0)70 302 2323 Fax: +31 (0)70 364 9928
Website: www.icj-cij.org

Press Release
Unofficial

No. 2008/21
22 July 2008

Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of 31 March 2004 in the Case concerning

Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mexico v. United States of America)
(Mexico v. United States of America)

The Court fixes the time-limit for the filing of written observations
by the United States of America

THE HAGUE, 22July2008. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial
organ of the United Nations, has fixed 29 August 2008 as the time-limit for the filing by the United
States of America of written observations on the Request for Interpretation of the Judgment of

31March2004 in the Case concerning Avena and Other Mexican Nationals (Mexicov. United
States of America) (Mexico v. United States of America) submitted by Mexico on 5 June 2008.

The Court took this decision pursuant to Article 98, paragraph 3, of the Rules of Court, after
ascertaining the views of the Parties. It reserved the right, after the written observations of the
United States of America have been filed, to afford the Parties the opportunity of furnishing further

written explanations, as provided for in paragraph 4 of the aforementioned Article 98.

In its Order indicating provisional measures of 16 July 2008, the Court stated that it was “in
the interest of both Parties that any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of the meaning and
scope of their rights and obligations under paragraph 153 (9) of the Avena Judgment be resolved as

early as possible”. It added that it was for the C ourt to ensure that a final judgment on the Request
for interpretation was reached “with all possible expedition”.

History of the proceedings

The history of the proceedings can be f ound in Press Releases No.2008/15 of 5June2008
and No. 2008/20 of 16 July 2008, available on the Court’s website (www.icj-cij.org).

___________

Information Department:

Mrs. Laurence Blairon, Secretary of the Court, Head of Department (+31 (0)70 302 2336)
Messrs. Boris Heim and Maxime Schouppe, Information Officers (+31 (0)70 302 2337)

Ms Joanne Moore, Assistant Information Officer (+31 (0)70 302 2394)