Britain Bans Exports of Execution Drugs to US

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Source: AP/WNCT

LONDON --

LONDON (AP) Britain said Thursday it will block the export of three lethal injection drugs to the United States and is also urging a Europe-wide ban on American sales of the drugs.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said that a block on exports of pentobarbital, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride would be formalized in a few days. In November, Britain blocked exports of the sedative sodium thiopental for use in executions following a legal challenge from a human rights group.

"We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections," Cable said. "Because of the importance and urgency of the situation this is an issue on which we felt we had to take the lead."

Britain has urged the European Commission to expand the export ban to all European Union nations, Cable added.



Read more: http://www2.wnct.com/news/2011/apr/14/britain-bans-exports-of-execution-drugs-to-ar-948057/

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Brilliant. I hope the rest of the world follows their lead on this one.

:thumbsup: Way to go!

[hlthe2b]

2. Good... EXCEPT... this will add to the shortages of Sodium thiopental

which has many very necessary uses in human and veterinary medicine. The impact will be more than a political statement on capitol punishment, unfortunately.

It will be UNLIKELY to stop executions, given RW attitudes in the leading "killer" states, like Texas, Virginia, Florida. They can always find an alternative way to kill.

[Taverner]

3. I'm against the DP and all, but won't this end up fruitless?

I think it would be pretty easy for a state to commission production of these substances from big pharma...

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Potassium chloride?? Extremely common and cheap.

Should have left this one out; it will have no effect at all.

[Courtesy Flush]

5. Nitrogen is plentiful, and a more humane form of capital punishment

Death from inhaling nitrogen is quick and painless, and the victim feel euphoric. Death penalty advocates won't use it because it doesn't cause enough suffering.