In a controversial move, Singapore has executed a 39-year-old man, Mohamed Shalleh Adul Latiff, convicted of trafficking heroin. This marks the city-state’s fifth hanging this year and the third execution in just over a week, highlighting the nation’s unwavering commitment to its tough stance on drug offenses. Latiff, a former delivery driver, was arrested in 2016 and subsequently sentenced to death in 2019 after being found in possession of approximately 55 grams of heroin. During his trial, he claimed to have believed he was transporting contraband cigarettes for a friend as a means of repaying a debt.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) confirmed that Latiff’s punishment was carried out on Thursday. His execution comes in the wake of two other recent hangings: Saridewi Binte Djamani, a 45-year-old Singaporean woman, was executed for trafficking around 30 grams of heroin, making her the first woman to be executed for drug offenses in nearly 20 years. Prior to that, a local man, Mohd Aziz bin Hussain, 57, was hanged for trafficking about 50 grams of heroin.
These executions have sparked international outcry, with the United Nations denouncing Singapore’s resumption of capital punishment after a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UN has called for a moratorium on the death penalty in the country. Despite mounting pressure from rights groups and the international community, Singapore remains resolute in its belief that the death penalty acts as a powerful deterrent against drug trafficking.
The nation boasts some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, where trafficking over 500 grams of cannabis or more than 15 grams of heroin can result in the death penalty. The executions have reignited the global debate over the effectiveness and ethical implications of capital punishment, with many advocating for more rehabilitative approaches to tackle drug-related issues. As Singapore continues to uphold its hardline stance on drug offenses, the fate of future individuals on death row hangs in the balance, and the international community watches closely to see if the city-state will reconsider its position on capital punishment.