Browsing Tag

death penalty

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Singapore executes second man within three weeks amidst global protest

Singapore executed Muhammad Faizal Mohd Shariff, its second execution in three weeks, amidst global outcry over its stringent anti-narcotics laws. Faizal, a part of a group alleging racial bias in capital punishment, was represented by rights lawyer M Ravi, who voiced concerns over the disproportionate execution rates against Malays. Despite international criticism, Singapore’s government maintains that the death penalty effectively curbs drug-related crimes.

Ministry of Home Affairs conducting survey on Singapore residents’ attitude towards death penalty

Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is conducting a survey to understand the public sentiment on the death penalty from April to June 2023. The survey follows the recent execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, which drew international attention. Renowned tycoon Richard Branson criticized the execution, but MHA defended Singapore’s approach, highlighting its effectiveness. MHA has claimed that engagement with thousands of Singaporeans shows strong support for the death penalty. However, the need for further public input on capital punishment remains puzzling given the existing strong support.

Execution of Singaporean Tamil condemned by UN Experts: Call for moratorium on death penalty

United Nations experts strongly condemn Singapore’s recent execution of Tangaraju s/o Suppiah, calling for an immediate moratorium on capital punishment. They express concerns over inadequate interpretation during police interrogations in his conviction and the high rate of execution notices for drug-related offenses. The experts criticize Singapore’s mandatory sentencing law, discriminatory treatment of minorities, and the suspension of the death penalty moratorium. They urge Singapore to review the death penalty’s scope, limit it to cases involving intentional killing, and abolish it to protect the right to life. Tangaraju represented himself in court as no lawyers in Singapore were willing to take up his case. Human rights lawyer Mr Ravi highlighted the fear of cost orders and disciplinary actions faced by lawyers who take up such cases.

Conflict of interest in Tangaraju’s case raises questions about Singapore’s legal system

Singapore executed Tangaraju Suppiah, 46, on Wednesday despite international appeals to halt the execution and review its use of capital punishment. Concerns were raised about the fairness of Tangaraju’s trial after human rights lawyer Mr M Ravi revealed a potential conflict of interest. In a Facebook post on Thursday evening, Mr Ravi expressed horror at discovering that Justice Steven Chong, who presided over Tangaraju’s appeal on Tuesday, was also the Attorney General (AG) when Tangaraju was charged on 19th May 2014. Justice Chong assumed the position of AG between 25 June 2012 to 24 June 2014. This apparent conflict of interest or appearance of biasness raises serious concerns about the fairness of the trial, as well as questions about the correct legal procedure. Mr Ravi stated in his Facebook post, “This is a travesty of justice. This is precisely the reason why a lawyer needs to be present at all stages. It is tragic that not only Tangaraju had no counsel but also did not even have a hearing where Steven J had dismissed the case summarily on Tuesday. We need answers.” The lack of legal counsel, interpreter, and circumstantial evidence against Tangaraju added to the troubling aspects of the case. Despite pleas for clemency, the execution proceeded, marking the 12th since last year.

Singapore man hanged over 1 kg of cannabis: authorities

Singapore has hanged Tangaraju Suppiah, a prisoner convicted of conspiracy to smuggle one kilogram of cannabis, despite calls from the United Nations and British tycoon Richard Branson to abolish capital punishment. The execution took place despite pleas for clemency from Tangaraju’s family, who are also pushing for a retrial. Tangaraju was convicted in 2017 of “abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic” cannabis and was sentenced to death in 2018. Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry responded to Branson’s plea stating that Tangaraju’s guilt had been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

Death-row inmate Tangaraju Suppiah’s last-minute appeal denied by Singapore court

Justice Steven Chong denied death row inmate Tangaraju Suppiah’s last-minute application, rejecting arguments over drug quantity knowledge. Tangaraju, convicted for abetting cannabis trafficking, is scheduled for execution tomorrow. Concerns include lack of legal counsel and an interpreter during interrogation and trial.

MHA responds to Branson’s call to halt Tangaraju’s execution, accusing him for “disrespect” for Singapore’s judges

On Monday (24 Apr), British tycoon Richard Branson urged Singapore to halt the imminent execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, a Singaporean who sentenced to death over one kilogram of cannabis, saying it “may be about to kill an innocent man”. “Tangaraju was actually not anywhere near these drugs at the time of his arrest. This was largely a circumstantial case that relied on inferences,” Branson, who is a member of the Geneva-based Global Commission on Drug Policy, wrote on his blog. “Killing those at the lowest rungs of the illicit drug supply chain… is hardly effective in curbing an international trade worth hundreds of billions every year,” he said, adding he hoped authorities would review the case. Tangaraju, aged 46, is set to be hanged on Wednesday (26 Apr), according to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore. However, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) defended that the evidence clearly showed that Tangaraju was “coordinating the delivery of drugs for trafficking”, despite the suggestion that he was innocent because he was “not anywhere near the drugs at the time of his arrest”.

Human rights lawyer M Ravi urges Singaporeans to speak out against Tangaraju Suppiah’s execution

Human rights lawyer M Ravi has called on Singaporeans to speak out against the impending execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, a Singaporean convicted and sentenced to death in 2018 for abetting by conspiracy to traffic 1,017.9g of cannabis. In a Facebook live video, Ravi highlighted several troubling aspects of Tangaraju’s case, including his lack of access to an interpreter and legal counsel during his trial. Ravi also pointed out that Tangaraju did not have access to counsel when his statements were taken, and he suggested that Tangaraju’s case was indicative of broader issues within Singapore’s legal system. Ravi called on Singaporean society to speak out against the execution and argued that it was incumbent on all citizens to stand together to end the practice of the death penalty. He further stressed that the execution would not bring any closure and would be meaningless as the death penalty does not deter drug trafficking. Ravi called on Singaporeans to write to their MPs or the ministers, even the Prime Minister, to stop the execution. Tangaraju’s execution is scheduled to take place on 26 April.

Branson urges Singapore to halt execution of cannabis convict

British tycoon Richard Branson has urged Singapore to halt the imminent execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, a man sentenced to death for “abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic” over one kilogram of cannabis. Mr Branson, a member of the Geneva-based Global Commission on Drug Policy, said Tangaraju’s case was largely circumstantial. The Asian financial hub has some of the world’s toughest anti-narcotics laws and insists the death penalty remains an effective deterrent against trafficking. “Killing those at the lowest rungs of the illicit drug supply chain… is hardly effective in curbing an international trade worth hundreds of billions every year,” Mr Branson said, adding he hoped authorities would review the case.

Tangaraju’s family calls on President Halimah Yacob to halt his imminent execution

The family of Tangaraju s/o Suppiah, along with Singaporeans and family members of other prisoners on death row, are calling on President Halimah Yacob to stop his execution and review his conviction and sentence. Activists have raised concerns about the evidence used to convict Tangaraju and argue that his case does not meet the standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. If he is hanged on 26 April, it will be Singapore’s first execution in six months.