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Singapore Executes Third Drug Trafficker in a Week Amid Global Outcry
Singapore has carried out its third execution for drug trafficking within a week, intensifying global debates on the ethics and efficacy of the death penalty. Despite appeals for clemency from international organizations, 55-year-old Rosman Abdullah, a Singaporean, was executed for trafficking 57.43 grams of heroin into the country.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) confirmed the execution on Friday, emphasizing that Rosman was “accorded full due process under the law” and had legal representation throughout his case. According to the CNB, the use of capital punishment in Singapore is reserved for “the most serious crimes,” including significant drug trafficking offenses. The agency highlighted the broader societal harm caused by such crimes, extending beyond individual drug users to their families and communities.
International Appeals Ignored
The United Nations and various human rights organizations had called for a reprieve. UN experts argued that the death penalty is ineffective in deterring crime and criticized Singapore’s handling of Rosman’s case, citing concerns about his intellectual disabilities. Amnesty International described the execution as “chilling” and indicative of a troubling trend in the city-state's justice system.
Rosman’s execution took place at Singapore’s Changi Prison, just a week after two others were hanged for similar offenses: a 39-year-old Malaysian and a 53-year-old Singaporean.
A Strict Approach to Drug Offenses
Singapore is known for its uncompromising stance on drug-related crimes, which contrasts sharply with its image as a progressive and thriving international business hub. It is among a few countries, including China and North Korea, that continue to impose the death penalty for drug offenses.
Under Singaporean law, trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin or 500 grams of cannabis carries a mandatory death sentence. Authorities argue that this stringent policy is necessary to protect society, though critics counter that such measures disproportionately affect marginalized individuals and fail to address the root causes of drug abuse.
A Divisive Policy
Singapore’s commitment to capital punishment for drug offenses has drawn widespread criticism. Opponents argue that the policy undermines the country’s human rights record and that alternative approaches, such as rehabilitation and addressing socioeconomic factors, would be more effective in combating drug-related issues.
As the international community continues to call for reform, Singapore’s stance remains steadfast, highlighting an ongoing tension between domestic policies and global human rights advocacy.