Despite mounting international pressure to cease capital punishment for drug-related offences, Singapore has conducted its first execution of a woman in 19 years. Moreover, second, hanging this week for drug trafficking. Activists have raised concerns as another execution is scheduled for next week.
The woman executed, Saridewi Djamani, aged 45, was sentenced to death in 2018 for trafficking nearly 31 grams (1.09 ounces) of pure heroin. According to the Central Narcotics Bureau, this amount was considered “sufficient to feed the addiction of about 370 abusers for a week.” Singapore’s stringent laws mandate the death penalty for trafficking more than 500 grams (17.64 ounces) of cannabis and 15 grams (0.53 ounces) of heroin.
Djamani’s execution comes shortly after the hanging of a Singaporean man, Mohammed Aziz Hussain, aged 56. He was convicted of trafficking around 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of heroin.
Human rights groups, international activists, and the UN have been urging Singapore to halt executions for drug offences. Arguing that there is increasing evidence that it is ineffective as a deterrent. However, Singaporean authorities maintain that capital punishment is essential in curbing drug demand and supply.
Since March 2022, Singapore has executed 15 people for drug offences, averaging one execution per month. The last known execution of a woman in Singapore was in 2004. A 36-year-old hairdresser Yen May Woen was hanged for drug trafficking.
Singapore’s Stance on Capital Punishment for Drug Crimes
Transformative Justice Collective, a Singapore-based group advocating for the abolishment of capital punishment. Revealed that another execution notice has been issued to an ethnic Malay citizen for August 3. The prisoner, a former delivery driver, was arrested in 2016 and convicted in 2019 for trafficking around 50 grams (1.75 ounces) of heroin. He maintained during his trial that he believed he was transporting contraband cigarettes for a friend he owed money to and trusted his friend without verifying the bag’s contents.
Despite being considered only a courier, the man was still handed the mandatory death penalty. The Transformative Justice Collective strongly condemns the state’s approach to executions. Calls for an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty.
Critics argue that Singapore’s harsh policy primarily punishes low-level traffickers and couriers, often from marginalised groups with vulnerabilities. They highlight that Singapore stands in contrast to the trend of countries moving away from capital punishment. For instance, neighbouring Thailand has legalized cannabis. Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty for serious crimes earlier this year.
