We remain appalled that Singapore continues to execute people in contravention of international law and standards. The two men were sentenced to the mandatory death penalty after being convicted of drug trafficking, which does not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes”.
In July 2011, during its first Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Singapore accepted a recommendation that called on the government to make available statistics and other factual information on the use of the death penalty (A/HRC/18/11, para. 95.15). The lack of transparency in relation to the scheduled executions therefore remains deeply concerning and prevents informed and meaningful debates in the country on the retention of this punishment.
We would like to express our regret and share in the disappointment of the families of the executed men. We oppose the use of capital punishment in all circumstances, as a violation of human rights which can never be justified under the flawed assumption that it has a unique deterrent effect.