MALAYSIAN MAN BELIEVED AT RISK OF EXECUTION 

Dear Prime Minister,

I urge you to immediately commute the death sentence imposed on Pannir Selvam Pranthaman and halt all executions in the country. His death sentence was imposed in violation of international human rights law and standards, which would render his execution unlawful and arbitrary.

International law and standards set out restrictions on the use of the death penalty to protect against the arbitrary deprivation of life. These include the prohibition against imposing this punishment as a mandatory sentence; for offenses that do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes”, including drug-related offenses; and after proceedings that do not meet the highest standards for a fair trial. Violations of all these safeguards are present in this case.

I am alarmed at the high rate of executions recorded in Singapore in recent weeks, with four men hanged in November alone. While I oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, it is particularly disturbing to see such a relentless pursuit of hangings. Punitive drug policies have failed to tackle the use and availability of drugs in the country and offer no effective protection from drug-related harm.

I call on you to immediately commute the death sentence of Pannir Selvam Pranthaman and establish an official moratorium on all executions, as a first critical step towards full abolition of the death penalty.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]