In an evolving landscape where Southeast Asian nations are moving away from the death penalty, Singapore’s stance has positioned it increasingly as an outlier. Amnesty International’s recent observations underscore this shift. As the World Day Against the Death Penalty approaches on October 10, a growing number of ASEAN countries are reevaluating their approach to capital punishment, signaling a shift towards abolition in a region historically known for its stringent adherence to the death penalty.
Among the key reforms, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste have abolished capital punishment in law. Notably, Cambodia and Timor-Leste have embedded explicit prohibitions in their constitutions. Conversely, the Philippines allows for the potential reinstatement of the death penalty under specific circumstances of heinous crimes, as permitted by its constitutional provisions. Indonesia, marking a decade without executions, is part of this trend, while Malaysia and Thailand are anticipated to reach the same milestone by 2027 and 2028, respectively. Brunei Darussalam and Laos remain execution-free for decades, leaving Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam as the only states with recorded executions in recent years.
Amnesty International credits nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam for spearheading reformative actions. Malaysia’s decision in 2023 to abolish the mandatory death penalty stands out, significantly reducing its death row population. Similarly, Indonesia’s updated Criminal Code, effective January 2026, has rebranded the death penalty as a measure of last resort. Vietnam, on its part, plans to considerably narrow down its number of capital offences.
Contrary to this regional trend, Singapore remains firm in its pro-execution policies, executing 19 individuals this year alone for drug-related crimes. This comes despite calls from various human rights organizations to reconsider. Alongside its frequent executions, Singapore faces international criticism for its treatment of anti-death penalty activists, as exemplified in the recent charges against numerous activists and human rights defenders. The continuation of such policies highlights Singapore’s reluctance to engage in broader regional reforms.
On the other hand, Myanmar’s reinstatement of executions in 2022 after a long hiatus, and its ensuing expansion of the death penalty, underscores the varying stances within ASEAN. Amnesty International is pushing ASEAN countries still retaining the death penalty towards establishing official moratoriums and eventual abolition, emphasizing the potential for regional progress if collective efforts are maintained.
Amnesty International’s briefing and other observations highlight a significant transformation across Southeast Asia, portraying Singapore’s fervent adherence to capital punishment as increasingly isolated. Such trends may reshape the future of legal frameworks surrounding the death penalty in the region, presenting a critical juncture for policymakers to consider.
For additional details, see the detailed report by Amnesty International.