UN experts sound alarm over planned first US execution by nitrogen gas

U.N. Special Rapporteurs urge U.S. authorities not to execute Kenneth Smith using the untested method of nitrogen hypoxia, as it may constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Smith, who survived a botched lethal injection attempt, is scheduled for execution in Alabama. His lawyers argue that the gassing protocol may violate the ban on cruel and unusual punishments in the U.S. Constitution. Many U.S. executions use lethal doses of barbiturates, but some states face difficulties in obtaining these drugs due to an EU law prohibiting their sale for executions.