Amnesty International has welcomed the proposal to abolish the death penalty for drug trafficking but called on the government to remove capital punishment for all offences.
Law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz reportedly said last week the government may replace the death penalty for drug offences with a prison term, which will entail reprieves for hundreds now on death row.
"Amnesty International welcomes this proposal and hopes it will lead to the quick abolition of the death penalty for drug offences," the global rights group said in a statement today.
"The government should immediately extend a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty for all crimes."
It noted that Malaysia applies the death sentence to a wide range of offences from treason to assisting in suicide. The penalty is mandatory in murder and drug trafficking cases.
"Mandatory death sentences prevent judges from exercising their discretion and from considering all factors in a case - contrary to international human rights standards," Amnesty said.
Amnesty's statement adds to growing pressure from Malaysian non-governmental organisations and opposition politicians to repeal the death penalty.
According to Nazri, about 900 inmates are on death row, mostly for drug offences.
Since 1960, more than 440 people have been executed, including 2 Australians whose 1986 hanging for heroin trafficking made headlines as the 1st Westerners executed under toughened new anti-drug laws.
In July, an Australian nurse was charged with drug trafficking.
source: Agence France-Presse, October 25, 2012
