Stop execution of M'sian - human groups urge S'pore govt
Kalwant Singh a/l Jogindar Singh was convicted for the possession of 60.15g of diamorphine and trafficking 120.9g of diamorphine on Oct 24, 2013.
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan) and Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) have called on the Singaporean government to halt Malaysian Kalwant Singh’s execution next Thursday, July 7.
Kalwant Singh a/l Jogindar Singh was convicted for the possession of 60.15g of diamorphine and trafficking 120.9g of diamorphine on Oct 24, 2013.
LFL director Zaid Malek stated today that Kalwant was only 23 years old and has always maintained that he never knew that the bundles he was carrying contained drugs.
“He was still convicted mainly on the testimony of a co-accused person,” he said in a statement today.
Zaid added that Kalwant is merely next on a long list of Malaysians who are to be executed under the death penalty in Singapore.
“Kalwant is unfortunately next on a long list of Malaysians whom Singapore has slated for the gallows.
“(This is) despite a barrage of criticisms it has received from the international community for its ruthless executions of low-level drug mules,” he said.
This comes just two months after the execution of Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, an intellectually disabled man, who was executed on April 27 on drug trafficking charges.
Adpan had released a statement condemning the upcoming execution of Kalwant and recalled Singapore’s intention to execute Datchinamurthy Kataiah, who still had an outstanding legal challenge in the court.
“The public prosecutor had insisted that his execution would not affect the legal challenge posed and persisted in appealing against the stay of execution.
“It should also be noted that Datchinamurthy had to file the appeal himself with no legal representation due to the onerous conditions and punitive cost measures imposed against capital defence lawyers in Singapore previously.
“Singapore’s eagerness to pursue executions for drug offences is a flagrant disregard for the right to a fair trial,” the human rights group said.
Zaid cited the United Nations’ declaration of the imposition of the death penalty, calling it a violation of international law and tantamount to unlawful killings.
He then compared Singapore’s enacting the death penalty with the recent abolishment of the mandatory death penalty in Malaysia.
“Malaysia has taken positive steps towards (the death penalty’s) eventual abolishment, with the long-standing moratorium and now the government’s undertaking to abolish the mandatory death penalty.
“Singapore, however, in contradiction to prevailing international norms, continues with its execution barrage,” he said.
Both Adpan and LFL strongly urged the Singaporean government to comply with international law, where the death penalty can only be applied for the most serious crimes.
“We call for Singapore to halt the scheduled execution, impose a moratorium on further executions and bring Singapore’s law in line with international standards,” stated Adpan.
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