Singapore has executed a woman for the first time in nearly two decades

Singapore has executed its first woman in about two decades for drug trafficking, amidst protests from critics who argue the death penalty does not deter drug use or availability.

The Details: Friday’s execution involved Saridewi Binte Djamani, who was convicted in 2018 for possessing over 30 grams of heroin.
* According to Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau, death penalty applies under the Misuse of Drugs Act if the amount of the drug trafficked exceeds 15 grams.
* Despite an appeal and a failed plea for a presidential pardon, Djamani was executed, making her Singapore’s first female execution since Yen May Woen in 2004, also for drug charges.

Controversy Arises: Human rights organizations and anti-death penalty advocates argue against Singapore’s harsh drug laws and punishments.
* Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch deemed Singapore’s policies as “inhumane” and its drug law “draconian.”
* Chiara Sangiorgio, Amnesty International’s representative, asserted that “there is no evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect or that it has any impact on the use and availability of drugs.”

Study Showcases Deterrence Shortcomings: A 2019 study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health on the effectiveness of the death penalty in deterring drug crimes in the Philippines found it doesn’t deter crime.
* The study found that the use of the death penalty was often disproportionate for the crimes committed and affected lower-income defendants more.

View original article on NPR

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