Amnesty International has urged Singaporean authorities to impose a moratorium on all executions, in light of the upcoming execution of Rosman bin Abdullah, a man with disabilities who was found guilty of drug trafficking. Scheduled for November 22, 2024, Abdullah’s execution has incited significant international criticism, including from the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). The OHCHR highlighted Abdullah’s psychosocial disabilities and history of drug dependence, noting the absence of procedural adjustments during his investigation and trial.
Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act dictates a mandatory death sentence for trafficking more than 15 grams of diamorphine (heroin). Both Amnesty International and the OHCHR argue that Singapore’s application of the death penalty in drug-related cases contravenes international law, emphasizing that it should be reserved for the “most serious crimes.” UN experts question the effectiveness of capital punishment compared to alternative measures in deterring drug trafficking.
Previously, the UN Special Rapporteurs on mental health and human rights expressed concerns in a 2022 letter to the Singaporean government about cases like Abdullah’s, involving mental health or intellectual challenges. They posited that “mandatory death sentences are inherently overinclusive and unavoidably violate human rights law,” urging individualized sentencing to mitigate cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. In response, Singapore defended its stance, stating that the experts were misinformed about the nature of the disabilities in question and reaffirming its commitment to international obligations, including safeguarding the right to life, which is a customary and peremptory norm under international law.
Although the death penalty does not inherently violate the right to life, it mandates non-arbitrary use, requiring fair trials and adherence to minimum standards for vulnerable populations. The Singaporean government continues to stand by its legal framework despite global scrutiny and calls for reform.
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