Singapore | Imminent unlawful execution for drug trafficking

Ahead of the scheduled execution of a man for drug-related offences, in violation of international law and standards, in Singapore on Friday 22 November, Amnesty International’s death penalty expert Chiara Sangiorgio said:

“The upcoming execution of Rosman bin Abdullah underlines the chilling determination of the Singapore authorities to continue to implement the death penalty. Singapore is among a handful of countries still executing people for drug-related offences, in violation of international human rights law and standards. This must stop immediately.

“Just last week there were two other hangings carried out. These executions are extremely alarming and collective fear is rising for others on death row.

“We once again call on the Singapore authorities to immediately establish a moratorium on all executions and review national legislation to ensure that it is brought in line with international law and regulations as a matter of urgency. Singapore must take its first steps towards abolishing the death penalty once and for all.”

Background

Rosman bin Abdullah’s execution has been scheduled for Friday 22 November. On 14 September 2010, he was found guilty of trafficking 57.43g of diamorphine (heroin) and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty. His execution had previously been set for 23 February 2022, but it had been stayed.

On 15 November, a 53-year-old Singaporean and a 39-year-old Malaysian were executed after being convicted of possessing controlled drugs with an intention to traffic.

In October 2024, Amnesty international, alongside six other partner organizations released a joint statement raising concern over the use of the death penalty by Singaporean authorities, in violation of international law and standards, as well as further restrictions to the exercise of the right to freedom of expression by anti-death penalty activists.

Singapore is one of only five countries where Amnesty International confirmed drug related executions in 2023.

Under international law and standards, the use of the death penalty must be restricted to the most “serious crimes”, with the International Narcotics Control Board and several UN bodies having stated that drug-related offences do not reach this threshold.

The imposition of the mandatory death penalty for certain drug crimes also violates international human rights law and standards, as it means that the judges could not consider the particular circumstances of the offence or the background of the convicted person.

Amnesty International has previously documented the flawed reforms to the mandatory death penalty in the country and the death penalty’s extensive application for drug-related offences.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty unconditionally, in all cases and under any circumstances.

Source: Amnesty International, Staff, November 20, 2024

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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

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