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Urgent
Action
Appeal
on
Singapore
Drug
Case
from
Amnesty
International
10/10/03
Amnesty International has
issued an urgent action alert asking human rights supporters to contact
authorities of the nation of Singapore asking for clemency for Vignes s/o
Mourthi, a 23-year old Malaysian national facing possible imminent execution
for a heroin conviction following an unfair trial. Amnesty wrote:
Vignes s/o Mourthi
may be at risk of imminent execution, following the recent rejection of
his appeal for clemency to the President of Singapore. On 12 September,
his lawyer lodged a motion for a retrial, on the grounds that there had
been a miscarriage of justice and that he had not received a fair trial.
However, the motion was rejected. On 19 September, his lawyer [was] due
to file another application for a retrial with the High Court. If this
application is rejected, Vignes s/o Mourthi could be executed shortly afterwards.
Vignes s/o Mourthi has received
very little education and comes from a poor family. He was arrested after
being found in possession of a bag containing approximately 443 grams of
heroin. At his trial he stated that he had been asked by a family friend
to carry the bag from Malaysia to Singapore, where he traveled every day
for work. He claimed he was unaware of the bag's contents. In August 2002,
he was sentenced to death for drug trafficking and his sentence was confirmed
in January 2003.
Amnesty International is
concerned about a number of alleged irregularities during the trial proceedings.
The trial judge reportedly refused to adjourn the hearing to enable Vignes
s/o Mourthi to appoint a new lawyer, which he had requested as he felt
he was inadequately represented. His conviction appears to have been based
largely on a written record, provided by the prosecution, of an incriminating
conversation which allegedly took place between him and a plain-clothed
police officer. Vignes s/o Mourthi denied the alleged conversation took
place. The court, however, deemed the evidence to be admissible despite
the fact that no date had been recorded on it and neither Vignes s/o Mourthi
nor his lawyer were aware of its existence before it was produced in court.
His current lawyer believes there is a strong possibility that he is innocent.
Drug trafficking carries
a mandatory death sentence in Singapore. Anyone over the age of 18 found
in possession of more than 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of morphine or
cocaine, or 500 grams of cannabis, is presumed to be trafficking in the
drug, unless the contrary can be proved, and faces a mandatory death sentence.
Amnesty International is concerned that this presumption conflicts with
the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Prisoners under
sentence of death may lodge an appeal for clemency with the President.
Decisions are made on the advice of members of the Cabinet, with input
from the Attorney General. It is extremely rare for clemency to be granted.
Singapore, with a population
of just over four million, is believed to have one of the highest rates
of executions per capita in the world. Government figures show that out
of 340 people executed between 1991 and 2000, 247 had been convicted of
drug trafficking. Executions are by hanging and take place on Friday mornings
at dawn. Families of convicts are normally only informed of the impending
execution one week beforehand. There is virtually no public debate about
the use of the death penalty in the country.
Amnesty asks human rights supporters
to immediately send appeals to the following officials, urging authorities
to commute Mourthi's death sentence, noting the serious concerns raised
about the fairness of his trial, and asking he be allowed adequate time
and resources to prepare and present a motion for retrial:
Minister of Law
Prof. S. Jayakumar
Ministry of Law
100 High Street
The Treasury #08-02
Singapore 179434
SINGAPORE
Telegram: Minister of Law,
Singapore
Fax: +65 6332 8842 (dial
011 65 from the US)
Salutation: Dear Minister
Attorney General Chan Sek
Keong
Attorney General's Chambers
1 Coleman Street #10-00
Singapore 179803
SINGAPORE
Telegram: Attorney General,
Singapore
Fax: +65 63325984
Salutation: Dear Attorney
General
Chief Justice Yong Pung How,
Supreme Court
Supreme Court Building
St. Andrew's Road
Singapore 178957
SINGAPORE
Telegram: Chief Justice,
Singapore
Salutation: Dear Chief Justice
Copies to:
Ambassador Heng
Chee Chan
Embassy of the Republic
of Singapore
3501 International Place,
NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: +1 202 537-0876
Visit http://www.aiusa.org
for further information.
-- END --
|
Issue #306, 10/10/03
Editorial: Summer's Over -- Long Live Summer |
Curtain Closes on Ontario's Summer of Legalization: Court Ruling Reinstates Possession Law, Loosens Medical Marijuana Rules |
Change the Climate Ad Campaign Riles DC Pundits, Politicos |
California in the Era of Arnold |
New England "Governors' Summit" on Drugs: Drug War Horse and Pony Show Inside, Protestors Outside |
This Week in History |
Urgent Action Appeal on Singapore Drug Case from Amnesty International |
Newsbrief: In Fall Term, Supreme Court Rejects South Carolina Crack Mom Appeal, Accepts Case on Ex-Drug User's Rights Under Americans With Disabilities Act |
Newsbrief: Georgia Supreme Court Throws Out Driver Drug Test Law |
Newsbrief: Walters Lies Pile Up in Canada Diatribe |
Canadian Prime Minister Talks About Toking Up |
Newsbrief: Sarasota Police Lure Would-Be Drug Dealers for Profit |
Newsbrief: This Week's Corrupt Cop Story |
Newsbrief: Pentagon Adds Drugs to List of Foes in Afghanistan |
Newsbrief: Vacation in Bermuda? Anti-Marijuana Campaign Underway |
DRCNet Temporarily Suspending Our Web-Based Write-to-Congress Service Due to Funding Shortfalls -- Your Help Can Bring It Back -- Keep Contacting Congress in the Meantime |
Perry Fund Accepting Applications for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 School Years, Providing Scholarships for Students Losing Aid Because of Drug Convictions |
The Reformer's Calendar
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