Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58 years old, was put to death in Alabama on January 25th for a murder he committed in 1988.

The experts released a statement condemning the use of Kenneth Smith as a test subject for a new execution method in Alabama, stating that it was a form of unethical human experimentation and could be considered torture sanctioned by the State.

“It is unacceptable to use a method of execution that has been proven to cause harm to animals on humans for the first time in an experimental setting.”

Painful death 

The professionals have added their voices to the group of United Nations representatives condemning Smith’s execution, including Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

They had previously requested a postponement of the execution, citing that death by inhaling nitrogen gas is a distressing and degrading process. Furthermore, carrying out experimental executions through gas asphyxiation is in violation of global legal standards.

According to reports, Mr. Smith’s death took longer than 20 minutes, contradicting the authorities’ claims of a quick and painless execution. Despite the lack of scientific backing, officials justified their method of execution.

According to witnesses, he squirmed and jerked on the stretcher, struggling to breathe and tugging at the restraints.

For many years, individuals have been sentenced to death and have spent a significant amount of time on death row.

After being found guilty for the murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett in March 1988, Mr. Smith spent several decades on death row. His initial death sentence in 1989 was later dismissed due to procedural reasons after three years.

In 1996, he was retried and the jury overwhelmingly chose to give him a life sentence. However, the judge in charge of the trial overruled their decision and decided to give him the death penalty instead.

In 2017, Alabama eliminated the use of judicial overrides, but this change did not apply retroactively. In 2022, Mr. Smith underwent a poorly executed lethal injection that lasted for hours and is said to have been torturous.

Ban ‘barbaric’ practice 

The specialists restated their serious worry about other American states implementing the use of nitrogen gas inhalation for executions. Urging for a prohibition, they reminded the US of its responsibilities under international agreements that protect civil rights and forbid cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

They stated that the brutal killing of Kenneth Eugene Smith serves as a strong reminder of the savage practice of the death penalty and should urge for increased efforts to abolish it in both the United States and globally.

About UN experts

The group of four specialists who released the declaration are all United Nations Special Rapporteurs chosen by the United Nations Human Rights Council, based in Geneva.

They are responsible for addressing the topics of unlawful, hasty or unjust killings, torture and other forms of harsh or humiliating treatment or punishment, the autonomy of judges and attorneys, and the entitlement to have the best possible level of physical and mental well-being.

They are not employees of the United Nations and do not receive compensation for their services.

This information is obtained from the United Nations website.