By Sheharyar Singapore implemented capital punishment on a 45-year-old female citizen, marking the first time in almost two decades that the city-state has executed a woman.
The unfortunate individual, Saridewi Binte Djamani, faced the gallows on Friday following her conviction for trafficking approximately 31 grams of heroin back in 2018. The Central Narcotics Bureau revealed this information through an official statement, shedding light on the severity of the case.
Despite facing opposition from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, who contend that Singapore’s utilization of capital punishment in drug-related cases is a breach of international law and lacks efficacy in deterring drug use, the execution of Saridewi Binte Djamani proceeded as scheduled.
The Central Narcotics Bureau stated that Djamani was granted “full due process under the law” and had access to legal representation throughout the entire procedure.
Amnesty International, in a recent statement, called upon the international community, particularly those nations that have abolished the death penalty, to intervene and put an end to what they perceive as an inhumane, ineffective, and discriminatory practice in Singapore.
Amidst the growing debate surrounding capital punishment, local advocacy group Transformative Justice Collective strongly criticized the authorities for what they view as a “bloodthirsty streak” leading up to the execution. The situation has brought to the forefront the ongoing discourse on the merits and morality of capital punishment and its place in a modern and compassionate society.
Back in April, a group of United Nations experts expressed deep concern over the frequency of executions in Singapore, specifically for drug-related offenses, describing it as “highly alarming.” They urgently called for an immediate moratorium after reports emerged that a 46-year-old ethnic Tamil citizen had been executed despite alleged inadequate interpretation during police interrogations.
Singapore’s government, known for its strict control over public protests and media, has staunchly defended its use of the death penalty, citing its role as a deterrent against drug trafficking. They also referenced surveys indicating that a majority of citizens support this law.
Since March 2022, Singapore has carried out 15 executions for drug-related offenses, even including foreign nationals, after resuming the practice following a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just recently, on Wednesday, Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, aged 57, was executed for trafficking around 50 grams of heroin.
The ongoing implementation of capital punishment for drug offenses has sparked widespread debate and international concern over human rights and justice in the city-state. The last instance of the city-state carrying out the execution of a woman occurred in 2004, when Yen May Woen, a 36-year-old hairdresser, was hanged for drug trafficking.
Despite being widely recognized as a well-managed business hub, Singapore’s adherence to ultra-strict laws places it in the company of a few authoritarian states, such as China and North Korea, that impose the death penalty for drug-related offenses. The harsh stance on capital punishment for such offenses has garnered attention and sparked discussions about the country’s judicial system and its approach to criminal justice.