Livestreaming Execution Would Be ‘Cruel and Inhuman’, Says UN
What Happened
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the Pentagon's plan to livestream the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the convicted Fort Hood shooter, would be tantamount to a public execution and could violate the absolute prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The comments came after the Pentagon confirmed the December 3 execution would be broadcast publicly.
Key Takeaways
The planned execution has sparked international criticism and domestic backlash, with experts noting that no country is known to routinely televise or livestream a legal execution and that public executions are now rare worldwide.