Officials in Singapore have executed a Malaysian citizen with a mental disability convicted of drug trafficking, despite pleas for clemency from around the world, citing his poor mental condition.
Nagaenthran Dharmalingam was caught carrying 42.72 grams of heroin tied to his thigh in Singapore in April 2009 and was sentenced to death the following year.
Dharmalingam’s execution was confirmed to his brother Navin Kumar by Changi prison officials. Mr. Kumar was also present at the prison to arrange for the remains of Dharmalingam to be taken back to their home in Ipoh, Malaysia, where the funeral and final rites will be performed.
His sister, Sarmila Dharmalingam, said: “In this sense, I can say that Malaysia is much more humane. Zero for Singapore for that. “
It was the second execution carried out by Singapore after a two-year hiatus, coming within a month after authorities executed another drug trafficker.
The former lawyer of the Malaysian-Indian man M. Ravi also confirmed the execution and said: “You can break us, but not defeat us. Our struggle against the death penalty continues. Om Shanti, may your soul rest in peace. ”
He posted on Facebook: “A sick boy killed by a sicker society. Understanding and rehabilitation is a sign of an advanced thinking society … there is no excuse for the murder …”
“The name Nagaentran Dharmalingam will go down in history as a victim of a tragic miscarriage of justice. The hanging of a person with an intellectual disability, mentally ill because he was forced to carry less than three tablespoons of diamorphine, is unjustified and is a gross violation of international law that Singapore has chosen to join, “said Maya Foa, director of Reprieve. , a human rights organization I said.
According to activists, Dharmalingam trafficked for a small amount to pay medical bills.
“The death penalty in Singapore is disproportionately targeted at drug addicts, not the drug bosses who trade or manipulate them. Most of its victims, like Nagen, are poor, vulnerable and from marginalized communities. It’s a broken system, “Ms Foa said.
During more than a decade of lawsuits, Dharmalingam’s lawyers have informed the Singapore Court of Appeals of his IQ of 69 and other mental disorders that interfere with his ability to make decisions and control impulses.
An 11-hour appeal was filed by Dharmalingam’s mother, who challenged the execution on Monday, saying it was unconstitutional to continue with his death sentence and that a fair trial may not have taken place, but it was rejected by the court on the grounds of “annoying” and “Frivolous.”
His mother also failed to secure a pardon for the president to save Dharmalingam’s life.
The execution of a mentally ill person is protected by the right to life and is prohibited by international human rights law – the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signed by Singapore on 18 July 2013.
However, the courts of Singapore have consistently stated that Dharmalingam was not mentally handicapped and that he understood his actions at the time of the crime.
Adhering to a policy of zero tolerance, Singapore views drug-related crime as “the most serious crime”. The administration reiterated that the death penalty is a deterrent to drug trafficking and that a majority of its citizens support the death penalty, a statement questioned by activists and lawyers in the country.
The death sentence for Dharmalingam was met with a backlash from lawyers, activists and celebrities from around the world.
British billionaire Richard Branson, actor and TV cameraman Stephen Fry, disability rights activist Timothy Shriver and several UN experts have appealed to Singapore President Halima Jacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Lung for mercy on Dharmalingam, but to no avail.
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