The World Court has called for a temporary reprieve for three Mexicans awaiting execution in U.S. jails.

The court ruled Wednesday that the executions must be stayed until it determines whether the men received their right to legal help from the Mexican government.

The U.S., however, has ignored International Court of Justice rulings in the past. In 1999, it executed a German man, Walter LaGrand, even though the court ordered a delay while it heard Germany's case.

The court is a UN body. It resolves judicial disputes between countries.

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The 15 judges reached a unanimous decision. There are 51 Mexicans on death row in the U.S.

The U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands, Clifford Sobel, said the government was studying the decision.

Mexico, which opposes the death penalty, filed the case last month. It is intended to cover all 51 Mexican citizens, but singled out the three because they have exhausted all their appeals and could soon be put to death.

The U.S. opposed the suit because it intrudes on U.S. sovereignty.