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| Call for lethal injection boycott | Call for lethal injection boycott |
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| Amnesty International has urged doctors and nurses not to participate in executions by lethal injection as it breaches their ethical oath. | Amnesty International has urged doctors and nurses not to participate in executions by lethal injection as it breaches their ethical oath. |
| In a report the group says the cocktail of drugs used is not always quick and painless and can cause "excruciating pain and extreme mental suffering". | In a report the group says the cocktail of drugs used is not always quick and painless and can cause "excruciating pain and extreme mental suffering". |
| The execution method is common in the US and is on the rise in China. | The execution method is common in the US and is on the rise in China. |
| However, the US Supreme Court last week agreed to hear a challenge that lethal injections violate the constitution. | However, the US Supreme Court last week agreed to hear a challenge that lethal injections violate the constitution. |
| 'Straitjacket' | 'Straitjacket' |
| Amnesty opposes the death penalty in all forms. | Amnesty opposes the death penalty in all forms. |
| In its new report, "Execution by lethal injection - a quarter century of state poisoning", it says governments should not put doctors and nurses in the position of carrying out an action contrary to their ethical oath. | In its new report, "Execution by lethal injection - a quarter century of state poisoning", it says governments should not put doctors and nurses in the position of carrying out an action contrary to their ethical oath. |
| We don't have any idea about what's happening in Texas, because it's done in secret Andrea Keilen,legal representative | We don't have any idea about what's happening in Texas, because it's done in secret Andrea Keilen,legal representative |
| Jim Welsh, the group's health and human rights co-ordinator, said: "Medical professionals are trained to work for patients' well-being, not to participate in executions ordered by the state." | |
| The report also challenges the cocktail of three drugs commonly used in executions. | The report also challenges the cocktail of three drugs commonly used in executions. |
| It says that Texas, the biggest US user of lethal injections, has banned the same drugs for dogs and cats on the grounds of the potential pain they may suffer. | It says that Texas, the biggest US user of lethal injections, has banned the same drugs for dogs and cats on the grounds of the potential pain they may suffer. |
| US LETHAL INJECTION Used in 37 of 38 death penalty states. Nebraska uses electric chairAlmost all use same three-drug combination:Sodium thiopental (sodium pentothal): Induces unconsciousnessPancuronium bromide (Pavulon): Causes muscle paralysis Potassium chloride: Stops the heart Source: Amnesty/Death Penalty Information Center | |
| The group says the drug used to induce unconsciousness can wear off before the prisoner's heart stops, causing extreme physical and mental strain. | The group says the drug used to induce unconsciousness can wear off before the prisoner's heart stops, causing extreme physical and mental strain. |
| The patients are, however, in a "chemical straitjacket" and cannot convey their distress, it says. | The patients are, however, in a "chemical straitjacket" and cannot convey their distress, it says. |
| Amnesty cites case studies of US prisoners suffering for about 30 minutes in "botched" executions. | Amnesty cites case studies of US prisoners suffering for about 30 minutes in "botched" executions. |
| It says there are no exact official figures on executions in China but that it is certain to carry out more than any other country. | It says there are no exact official figures on executions in China but that it is certain to carry out more than any other country. |
| Amnesty says lethal injections are on the rise in China, with mobile vans increasingly being used. | Amnesty says lethal injections are on the rise in China, with mobile vans increasingly being used. |
| Prisoners are executed on a metal bed in a windowless chamber in the back, the group says. | Prisoners are executed on a metal bed in a windowless chamber in the back, the group says. |
| The issue of lethal injection is a matter of huge debate in the US. | The issue of lethal injection is a matter of huge debate in the US. |
| Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by two convicted murderers in Kentucky who argue that the method violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment contained in the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. | Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by two convicted murderers in Kentucky who argue that the method violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment contained in the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution. |
| The court ruling may provide a broad guideline on the method of execution, which some states have suspended after claims it was cruel and ineffective. | The court ruling may provide a broad guideline on the method of execution, which some states have suspended after claims it was cruel and ineffective. |
| Andrea Keilen, from a legal firm that represents about 150 death row inmates in Texas, said there was no way of knowing the competency of those carrying out the executions in the state. | Andrea Keilen, from a legal firm that represents about 150 death row inmates in Texas, said there was no way of knowing the competency of those carrying out the executions in the state. |
| "We don't have any idea about what's happening in Texas, because it's done in secret." | "We don't have any idea about what's happening in Texas, because it's done in secret." |