In a sobering reminder of Singapore’s unyielding stance on drug trafficking, Tangaraju Suppiah, a 46-year-old Singaporean man, was executed on Wednesday in Changi Prison for attempting to traffic around 2.2 pounds of cannabis. This development comes amidst growing global leniency towards drugs and capital punishment, prompting outrage from rights groups and campaigners.
The Differing Global Attitude Towards Cannabis
While numerous countries have legalized cannabis in recent years, Singapore remains unwavering in its commitment to harsh drug laws. The government staunchly believes that capital punishment serves as an effective deterrent for drug traffickers, contributing to public safety.
Questioning the Safety of Suppiah’s Conviction
Suppiah’s family members, activists, the European Union’s office in Singapore, and the United Nations’ rights office all called for clemency and questioned the safety of his conviction. Suppiah was sentenced to death in 2018 for “abetting the trafficking of more than one kilogram of cannabis (1,017.9 grams),” as determined by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
Critics argue that Suppiah’s conviction was largely based on statements taken during his police interrogation without a lawyer or interpreter present, as well as testimony from his two co-accused, one of whom had charges dismissed. The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC) also highlighted issues with the evidence, describing it as “shockingly thin.”
Singapore Falling Behind its Neighbors
Singapore’s execution of Suppiah has drawn comparisons to its neighbors, such as Thailand, the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis, and Malaysia, which recently passed legal reforms to remove the mandatory death penalty for certain offenses. Critics argue that Singapore’s refusal to reform its drug policies reflects a disregard for human rights, proportionality in criminal punishments, and justice.
Standing Firm on the Death Penalty
Despite the international outcry, Singapore executed eleven people last year for drug-related offenses. The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains that the death penalty is “an essential component of Singapore’s criminal justice system” and “has been effective in keeping Singapore safe and secure.”
