“We regret the hanging of two men today in Singapore and are deeply saddened by the planned execution of two others on August 5,” he said. OHCHR Spokesperson Liz Throssell said in a statement.
Drug crime
Two prisoners, a Malaysian and a Singaporean, were hanged after being found guilty of drug trafficking in May 2015 and their appeals were dismissed.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rahim bin Shapiee and Ong Seow Ping, two other men were convicted in 2018 of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Despite appealing their convictions, both are scheduled to be executed on Friday, August 5.
Minorities are disproportionately convicted
Last week the execution of Nazeri Bin Lajim, Malaysian Singaporean nationality was raised serious concern on the discriminatory nature of death sentences in Singapore.
He was arrested for trafficking 33 grams of diamorphine, which he possessed primarily for his personal use.
Independent United Nations experts observed that a disproportionate number of people sentenced to death for drug-related crimes are minorities who tend to come from disadvantaged backgrounds. economy, making Mr. Lajim more responsible for being sentenced to death.
‘Pause’ scheduled execution
In her statement, Ms Throssell called on Singapore authorities to “pause all scheduled executions, including those of Abdul Rahim bin Shapiee and Ong Seow Ping.
She also called on the Government to “end the use of mandatory death sentences for drug offenders, reduce all death sentences to one prison sentence and immediately introduce a moratorium on all drug offenders.” executions, in order to abolish the death penalty”.
The Dong Nhan Quyen Association emphasizes that the death penalty is “incompatible with the right to life” and the right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
To date, more than 170 countries have abolished or introduced a moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty in law or in practice, and the United Nations is calling on Singapore to follow in their footsteps.
