Global Backlash Over US Plan to Live Stream Execution

The United States' plan to carry out the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan—convicted for the 2009 mass shooting at the Fort Hood military base—by firing squad and broadcast it live has triggered severe reactions and condemnations worldwide.

Pentagon's Announcement on Execution and Live Broadcast

In a statement released on Thursday, the Pentagon confirmed that the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who killed 13 people at the Fort Hood military base in Texas in 2009, will take place on December 3 and will be broadcast live to the public.

Under military law, presidential approval is required for an execution to be carried out by firing squad, and Donald Trump approved the decision upon the recommendation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Warnings from International Bodies and Experts

The UN Human Rights Office warned on Friday that broadcasting the execution would constitute a public execution and a definitive violation of the prohibition against torture.

Human rights experts and civil society organizations around the world compared the plan to medieval practices and called for its immediate abandonment.

Reactions from Political and Religious Leaders

The announced execution plan was met with great displeasure by politicians, religious leaders, and human rights defenders both within the United States and internationally.

Among those voicing opposition were Hillary Clinton, Yassamin Ansari, and British minister Bridget Phillipson, while JD Vance stated that he would not watch the live broadcast.

Trial Proceedings and Historical Background

Nidal Malik Hasan, now 56 years old, was convicted by a military jury in 2013 of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder and sentenced to death.

This planned execution is expected to be the first carried out by a firing squad by the United States military since 1945.