RESPONSE TO SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR NOWAK REGARDING

UNCLAS STATE 125362 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UNCHR SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR NOWAK REGARDING MR. ROMELL BROOM - GENEVA LOG 88-2009 ¶1. This is an action request. Mission is requested to convey to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment the text of the letter in paragraph 3. This is in response to Mr. Nowak's letter of November 18, 2009 regarding an urgent appeal concerning the pending execution of Romell Broom, presently incarcerated at the Lucasville, Ohio, penitentiary. This is item number 88 on the 2009 Geneva Log. ¶2. The Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Manfred Nowak has expressed urgent concerns over the impending death sentence of Mr. Romell Broom and wants to draw the USG's attention to this case. Special Rapporteur Nowak discussed the following alleged facts in his letter: On September 15, 2009, an execution team attempted to execute Mr. Broom at Lucasville prison. Prison nurses unsuccessfully inserted needles at eighteen separate locations on his hands and legs to find a vein that would support the injection of lethal drugs. Mr. Broom experienced severe pain during this process and called for his lawyer. His lawyer asserted that Mr. Broom was being subjected to torture and asked that the exececution should cease. Subsequently, the Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland, ordered a reprieve. A hearing was scheduled for November 28, 2009, in the US District Court, Southern District of Ohio, on the suit by Romell Broom to challenge further efforts by the State of Ohio to execute him. The Department has reached out to the appropriate authorities in the State of Ohio to seek clarification of the circumstances regarding this case. ¶3. Begin text of letter. Mr. Manfred Nowak Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment Geneva, Switzerland Dear Mr. Nowak, We thank you for your letter of November 18, 2009 regarding the pending execution of Romell Broom. We have passed your letter to the Attorney General of the State of Ohio and will provide you with a response once we have received it. Complimentary close. End text. ¶4. Department appreciates Mission's assistance with this matter. CLINTON