Woman to Be Executed in Singapore After Almost 20 Years
Singapore is set to execute a woman, Saridewi Djamani, for drug trafficking. Human rights advocates express concern over this execution, as it will be the first time in nearly two decades that a woman faces the death penalty in Singapore.
Stringent Anti-Drug Laws in Singapore
Singapore is known for having some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, which it believes are necessary to protect society. Those convicted of trafficking specific quantities of drugs can face the death penalty.
Recent Drug Convictions and Executions
Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, another Singaporean, was executed for trafficking 50g of heroin, making him the 15th drug convict to be executed since March 2022. Tangaraju Suppiah was also executed for trafficking cannabis. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) states that all these individuals went through due process, with appeals being dismissed.
Criticism from Richard Branson and Anti-Death Penalty Advocates
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson has criticized Singapore for its executions, arguing that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent against crime. Anti-death penalty advocates, including Amnesty International, also refute the claim that capital punishment helps maintain safety and argue that it does not deter drug-related activities.
International Concerns and Singapore’s Stance
Amnesty International notes that Singapore is among the few countries, along with China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, that have recently carried out drug-related executions. Advocates emphasize that there is no evidence supporting the unique deterrent effect of the death penalty and highlight concerns about Singapore defying international safeguards.
As Singapore proceeds with its scheduled execution, there are increasing calls from human rights groups and advocates to reconsider the use of the death penalty, especially in drug-related cases. The case of Saridewi Djamani, the first woman to be executed in Singapore in many years, has drawn attention to the country’s stringent drug laws and their implications on human rights and criminal justice.
SOURCE: Ref Image from IBTimes Singapore
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