Alabama is set to carry out its first execution using nitrogen gas, a method that has never been employed before in the United States. The inmate in question, Kenneth Smith, was convicted of a murder for hire in 1988. In November, his initial lethal injection was halted due to issues with the IV line. As a result, Smith requested death by nitrogen gas, a request that has been approved by the Supreme Court.
However, the use of this new method has raised concerns among UN experts who fear that it could result in a painful and degrading death for Smith. The UN panel released a statement expressing regret over the continued pursuit of executions in the US and specifically highlighted the potential problems with this untested method.
The primary concern raised by the UN panel is focused on the method of execution itself. They question whether Alabama can legally put someone to death in such an untested and potentially excruciating manner. This method of execution has never been tested on animals, let alone humans, which raises serious concerns about its legality under international human rights law.
The process of nitrogen gas execution effectively deprives the brain of oxygen, causing death by suffocation. While various execution methods exist around the world, this particular approach is unique and raises significant fears about the potential for Smith to experience extreme pain and suffer a torturous death.
It is important to consider the wider context surrounding the issue of execution protocols. The reason for changing protocols, such as the adoption of nitrogen gas, is primarily due to difficulties in obtaining the necessary drugs from suppliers who are increasingly reluctant to be associated with capital punishment. Many countries globally reject the practice of execution, highlighting the need for alternative methods.
If the execution using nitrogen gas proceeds as planned and proves to be as agonizing as feared, it would not only violate international human rights law but also constitute torture. Smith, having already been subjected to a botched execution attempt, would effectively be tortured twice. The prospect of the United States carrying out such an act has sparked concerns among international observers who view it as a barbaric practice that should be relegated to the annals of history.
The case of Kenneth Smith has garnered attention because of its potential global implications. The fear is that the US government is not considering how the rest of the world will perceive the use of such a cruel method. Observers hope that this case prompts a larger reflection on capital punishment and leads to its abolition, given its inhumane nature and the widespread rejection of the practice by the international community.
