Singapore President grants last-minute respite to death row inmate Hamzah Ibrahim
In a Facebook post on 25 Feb, Human rights lawyer M Ravi shared that Singapore President has issued a Respite Order granting a stay of execution for Hamzah Ibrahim, who was scheduled to be executed on 26 February. Ravi urged the government to impose a moratorium on executions and review the death penalty laws.
SINGAPORE: Death row inmate Hamzah Ibrahim has been granted a stay of execution through a Respite Order from the Singapore President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
This was shared by human rights lawyer M. Ravi today (25 February). Hamzah was originally scheduled to be executed tomorrow.
In a Facebook post, Ravi, who previously represented Hamzah, expressed relief over the decision.
"I am greatly relieved to learn that the President of Singapore has issued a Respite Order, thereby granting a stay of execution for Hamzah, who was scheduled to be executed on Wednesday," he wrote.
Ravi called on the Singapore government to impose a moratorium on all executions, citing recent legal developments.
He highlighted the stays of execution granted to Hamzah and Malaysian inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, along with an October 2024 Court of Appeal ruling that found the Singapore Prison Service and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had unlawfully disclosed confidential information about multiple death row inmates.
He further argued that the mandatory death penalty is incompatible with international human rights law.
"In this regard, I humbly request that the government order such a review by the new government following the upcoming General Elections," Ravi said.
He also expressed willingness to assist if a Parliamentary Committee is formed to examine the issue.
A Respite Order issued by the President of Singapore temporarily suspends or delays an execution.
It is granted under Article 22P(1) of the Singapore Constitution, which allows the President to order a reprieve from the death penalty, typically on the advice of the Cabinet.
Hamzah’s case and legal background
In 2014, Hamzah Ibrahim was convicted of trafficking 26.29 grams of diamorphine.
Although he received a Certificate of Substantive Assistance (CSA) for cooperating with authorities, he did not qualify for life imprisonment as he was not classified as a courier.
"He did not qualify for the alternative sentencing of life imprisonment as he was not considered to be a courier, which is the second requirement after obtaining a CSA," Ravi explained.
Ravi had previously shared details about Hamzah's case on Saturday, 22 February, after being contacted by Hamzah’s niece.
On Monday, a Clemency Petition on behalf of Hamzah was submitted to the President.
Stay of execution for Malaysian inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman
Hamzah’s stay of execution follows a similar legal development last week when the Singapore Court of Appeal granted Malaysian death row inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman permission to make a post-appeal application in a capital case.
This effectively stayed his execution, which was scheduled for 20 February.
The ruling, delivered by Judge of the Appellate Division Woo Bih Li on 19 February, was based on Pannir’s claims regarding his legal representation and an ongoing constitutional challenge to Singapore’s drug laws.
Specifically, the stay was granted due to concerns related to Section 18(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act and the conduct of Pannir’s former lawyer in handling his case.
Pannir was convicted in 2017 by the Singapore High Court for trafficking 51.84 grams of diamorphine at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 3 September 2014.
While Singapore maintains one of the world's strictest drug laws, human rights organisations and legal activists have continued to advocate for reforms, arguing that the mandatory death penalty does not allow for sufficient judicial discretion.
