[Deathpenalty]death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

March 17


MEXICO:

Mexican Senate votes to eliminate death penalty


Mexico's Senate today voted to explicitly forbid the death penalty.

The change must still be approved by the lower house and local
legislatures in 2/3 of Mexico's 31 states to take effect.

Execution hasn't been imposed in Mexico since 1961 -- and many Mexicans
thought it already had been abolished.

The vote deletes outdated and little-noticed provisions in the Mexican
Constitution.

Those allowed capital punishment in theory for certain crimes such as
treason, parricide and serious crimes in the military.

The Senate voted 79-to-2 to change 2 constitutional articles to delete the
death penalty references.

Officials will insert new wording that states "death penalties are
forbidden," along with whipping, torture and other "excessive"
punishments.

(source: Associated Press)