Malaysia taking positive steps, Singapore continuing with ‘execution barrage’, rights group says

Rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) today hit out at news of Singapore’s latest scheduled execution, comparing the situation in the city-state to that of Malaysia which recently moved to abolish the mandatory death penalty.

In a statement, LFL director Zaid Malek said the imposition of the death penalty for drug crimes had been declared by the United Nations as a violation of international law amounting to unlawful killing.

“Malaysia has taken positive steps towards its eventual abolition, with the long-standing moratorium and now the government’s undertaking to abolish the mandatory death penalty,” he said.

“Singapore, however, in contradiction to prevailing international norms, continues with its execution barrage.”

Kalwant was convicted and sentenced to death on Oct 24, 2013 for trafficking just over 60g of diamorphine into the island republic, which has some of the toughest drugs laws in the world.

He was convicted mainly on the testimony of his co-accused, and maintains that he did not know he was carrying drugs.

He is scheduled to hang at Changi prison on July 7.

Zaid said Kalwant was next on a long list of Malaysians whom Singapore had scheduled for an appointment with the gallows.

“The death penalty is an archaic and brutal form of punishment that does not deter serious crime,” he said.

“It is irreversible and the ultimate denial of human rights. Continuing to hang drug mules while knowing full well that drug mules are easily replaceable by drug kingpins shows that Singapore prefers the illusion of taking action instead of actually resolving illicit drug trade in the region.”

Urging Singapore to halt Kalwant’s execution, he said Putrajaya should also make urgent representations to the republic to save its citizen from the noose.