Virginia executed Angel Francisco Breard, a Paraguayan national convicted of murdering an Arlington woman in 1992, late Tuesday night. The execution received international attention because the United States failed to honor the Vienna Convention requirement that a nation alert the embassy of a foreigner arrested on its soil. The embassy then may contact the defendant to ensure a fair trial is conducted. All signatory nations are expected to abide by this Convention tenant.

Though the United States failed to live up to its part of the agreement, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stay Breard’s execution. His trial and sentence were conducted as any American’s would have been, the Court found. Thus, the failure of Virginia authorities to contact the Paraguayan embassy at the time of Breard’s arrest did not interfere with his receiving a fair trial under U.S. law.

But the fact remains that the United States failed to abide by a significant international agreement. If a U.S. citizen found himself in a similar situation abroad – sentenced to death without the auspices and advice of American diplomats – outrage would erupt in Washington. So why is it different when a foreigner from a small Third World country is involved?

The failure of U.S. authorities to notify the Paraguayan embassy was a serious mistake. The United States would demand Convention compliance if its citizens met legal trouble abroad. Though the United States has a legal tradition based on open courts and the defendant’s right to appeal, other nations do not. The actions taken by Virginia authorities and the subsequent outcome do not bode well for the tens of thousands of Americans abroad. If America turns a blind eye on its Convention responsibilities, little more can be expected of other nations.