Known for its tough stance on drug-trafficking Singapore is one of the few developed countries with a mandatory death penalty. Now the country is the verge of easing its stance.
Every Monday morning Kah Pin Cheong wakes up at 2am, to begin his journey from his home in Malaysia to Singapore. He visits his son Chun Yin, who is in Changi prison facing death row. “Even if it's rains, I still come to see him... Of course I'll help my son, he's all I have,” says Cheong.
In 2008 Chun Yin Cheong was convicted of trafficking 2.7 kilograms of heroin into Singapore. Cheong's family claims he was tricked into transporting the drugs and that he was convinced he was only taking gold bars. “He's very trusting and likes to help people, and because of that he was taken advantage of. I'm hoping the Singaporean government to give him a chance,” says Mr Cheong.
Cheong's prayers may soon be answered. The Singaporean government is about to change the death penalty law relating to trafficking drugs. It means that Chun Yin's life, and the lives of several others, could be saved.
Since July 2011 the Singaporean government has suspended all executions as part of the law's review. Draft amendments were announced in parliament this July and final changes are expected this week.
Singapore drug trafficking penalties are among the harshest in the world. Anyone caught bringing 15g of heroin, 30g of cocaine or 500g of cannabis are automatically given a death sentence. With the amendments, judges will have more discretion, and be able to impose life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. But there are strict conditions. It only applies to those considered a courier - rather than a criminal mastermind, the mentally disabled, or those cooperate substantially with the law.
The lawyer representing Chun Yin Cheong, M Ravi, says the changes are ground-breaking, and long overdue. “It is cruel, archaic, an abuse, it's called judicial murder and it's also in breach of international humanitarian law - in denying and depriving the condemned man from his opportunity to have his plea in mitigation presented,” said M Ravi.
Australian Van Nguyen was convicted of drug-trafficking in October 2004. Throughout his trial, he claimed that he was trying to pay off the legal debts of his twin brother Khoa. The case amassed national support. A government plea for clemency was rejected, and on the 2nd of December 2005, the 25-year-old was hanged. SBS has commissioned a miniseries about his life, to be broadcast next year.
M Ravi believes efforts to save the Australian contributed to the changes. “It taught the Singaporean government the value of human life, the meaning compassion, regardless of race, language culture. Australian people as a whole campaigning for this. Really heart-warming, a wonderful expression for humanity around the world,” said M Ravi.
Former attorney general Walter Woon, says compassion has nothing to do with it. “It apparently seems to be the intention to encourage drug mules to give information that can be used by drug authorities around the region… There is zero tolerance amongst the population for drug offences, I haven't been able to detect any sympathy for drug traffickers,” said Woon.
A contributor to discussions on the proposed amendments, Zheng Xi says there's no evidence Singapore's death penalty deters crime. “Abolishing the death penalty is not softening, it's wisening up… We should be considering whether or not encouraging a culture of state-sponsored hanging is really the solution to violence in society, or, as some would argue, the cause of violence in society,” said Xi.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH ZHENG XI: (via YouTube)
Zheng Xi hopes Singapore will abolish the death penalty completely. The government is already under pressure from the United Nations, Human Rights agencies and foreign governments, but Walter Woon believes their impact is overstated. “As long as major countries like the US, Japan, India, China retain the death penalty, it's hard to accept that there's an international consensus as some people pretend there is. The pressure from abroad is often seen as a minority trying to bludgeon other people into accepting their views,” said Woon.
Organisation 'We Believe in Second Chances' says mindsets are changing. The youth-lead group runs internet campaigns supporting those facing death row. Organiser Damien Chng says mindsets in Singapore are changing, but slowly. “It is because it is tough, because no one stands up for these people that makes it even more important for us to do it… Because we believe in a just and fair society that we push on no matter what,” says Chng”
Pushing on, no matter what, are the family and supporters of Chun Yin. Last year they collected almost 9,000 signatures, begging for the 29-year-old's life. The government was silent.
Last month a third and final clemency plea by M Ravi was dismissed by the Court of appeal. Changes to the death penalty law are the last legal opportunity to save Chun-Yin Cheong's life.
Kah Pin Cheong remains positive. “He isn't a criminal he's truly a good kid. If you were to meet him, you'd realise he is a cheerful, good person.”
He says the end of any visit to Changi prison is never easy, but he hopes - for his son's sake - there will be many more journeys to make.
WATCH INTERVIEW WITH FORMER SINGAPOREAN ATTORNEY GENERAL WALTER WOON: (via YouTube)
