David Mitchell had a petition pending before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, alleging that his rights under the American Constitution had been violated.

Amnesty International also regrets that John Higgs, whose execution was scheduled for today, succeeded in taking his own life on 4 January 2000. It has been reported that he slit his wrists whilst under suicide watch.

Amnesty International urges the government of the Bahamas to uphold its obligations under international law, and to impose an immediate moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty permanently.