Rosman Abdullah, 55, was hung for drug trafficking on Friday, marking Singapore’s third execution in a week, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). Human rights activists and the UN have sharply criticized the city-state for carrying out eight killings so far this year.
Rosman was found guilty of trafficking 57.43 grams (2.03 ounces) of heroin, which is more than the 15 grams required by Singapore’s strict anti-drug legislation to carry the death penalty. He had tried every legal avenue, including a request for presidential pardon, before being first condemned in July 2010. Changi Prison was the site of the execution.
The CNB defended their position in the face of mounting international criticism, claiming that the death penalty is only applied to the “most serious crimes” and that it serves as a deterrent to drug trafficking, which they contend has substantial negative effects on both individuals and society.
The execution comes after two other individuals convicted of drug trafficking, a Malaysian and a Singaporean, were hanged on November 15. According to an AFP count, Singapore has executed 24 hangings since it resumed executions in March 2022 following a suspension due to the pandemic.
Human rights organizations and the UN have reaffirmed their demand that Singapore abolish the death sentence, claiming it violates international human rights legislation and is useless as a deterrent.
UN Human Rights spokesman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement on Thursday that there is growing evidence that the death penalty is not a good deterrent.
One of the few developed countries that still uses the death penalty is Singapore, which maintains that it is essential to ensuring national safety and security. Critics counter that the policy ignores the underlying causes of the problem and unfairly targets drug offenders.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
