By 
30-10-2024
Valentina Stivanello-Gussoni
Southeast Asia & Pacific Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
In a highly controversial move, Singapore proceeded with the execution of a prisoner on drug-related charges despite an active legal appeal, a decision that has prompted sharp criticism from international human rights organisations. Amnesty International condemned the action as ‘unlawful’, emphasising that Singapore’s decision to carry out the sentence before the appeal could be resolved undermines basic legal principles and violates the right to a fair trial [1]. The organisation expressed deep concern that this approach may reflect a broader trend in Singapore toward escalating executions, particularly for drug-related offences, despite mounting global calls to end the death penalty.
Human Rights Watch also issued a statement in response, asserting that Singapore’s recent actions further isolate it from the global community’s shift toward limiting or abolishing capital punishment [2]. Across Southeast Asia, countries such as Malaysia and Taiwan have recently abolished the death penalty for specific offences or strengthened procedural safeguards, prioritising due process rights [2]. Yet, despite this encouraging trend in the region, Singapore remains steadfast in applying this harsh sentence for drug-related crimes [2].
The execution also raises questions about Singapore’s alignment with Article 6(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which provides that countries retaining the death penalty should reserve its use ‘only for the most serious crimes’ [2] and that such punishment ‘can only be carried out pursuant to a final judgement rendered by a competent court’, which clearly did not occur in the present case. Furthermore, United Nations human rights experts have previously declared that drug offences fail to meet this threshold [2].
This latest execution, conducted under contentious circumstances, has fueled apprehension that Singapore might soon carry out more death sentences without allowing for exhaustive legal recourse [1]. As more voices from the international community call for Singapore to reconsider its position, human rights organisations continue to press for a moratorium on capital punishment, urging Singapore to align with an international trend that seeks more humane and reformative approaches to justice.
Sources and Further Readings:
[1] Amnesty International (October 4th, 2024), Singapore: Unlawful execution despite ongoing legal appeal raises fears of more to come. Consulted on October 30th. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/10/singapore-unlawful-execution-despite-ongoing-legal-appeal-raises-fears-of-more-to-come/.
[2] Human Rights Watch (October 9th, 2024), Singapore Moves Further Out of Step on Death Penalty. Consulted on October 30th. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/09/singapore-moves-further-out-step-death-penalty
Comments