The Global Commission on Drug Policy expresses its deep dismay over Singapore’s decision to continue to execute persons convicted on charges of drug trafficking.

This week, in Singapore, two executions for drug-related offences are scheduled to take place. The two victims are: Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, a 56-year-old Singaporean Malay man, convicted in 2018 of trafficking approximately fifty (50) grams of diamorphine (heroin); and Saridewi
Djamani, a 45-year-old Singaporean woman convicted for possession of approximately thirty (30) grams of diamorphine (heroin) for the purposes of trafficking. It has been almost twenty years since Singapore last executed a woman.

Imposing the death penalty for drug-related offences is not only an exceptionally harsh anddisproportionate puni shment but is also violates international human rights law. The Global Commission calls on the government of Singapore to adopt a formal moratorium on executions for drug-related offences, to commute death sentences for drug-related offences, to identify and put in place alternatives to such disproportionate punishment, and to ensure the right to a fair trial for all defendants, including those charged with such offences, in line with its international obligations.

If these executions proceed, Singapore will have executed 15 people for drug-related offences since 30 March 2022, an average of one execution per month. The continuation of executions for drug-related offences in 32 jurisdictions in the world is distressing. The United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee (which focuses on social, humanitarian and cultural issues), with close to two-thirds of the UN’s membership (126 Member States), supported the call for a moratorium on the death penalty worldwide.

The Global Commission renews its urgent plea to the Government of Singapore to halt all executions, commit to the full abolition of the death penalty, reform its domestic legislation to reflect that abolition, and opt for more effective and humane drug policy reform in line with international law.