Nguyen case Part 1.

Newly created.

Made the account to reply on the Nguyen death sentence issue on Mr Wang’s blog.

The discussion carrying on under the comments section was quite passionate, with some arguing against the death sentence as being both cruel and unnecessary, while others argued that Australia's protests / Nguyen’s mitigation pleas have no merits.

Personally, I felt that the crux of the case was that there were insufficient factors to set the precedence of saving Nguyen.

If he was saved, then many other traffickers will refer to his case to beg for clemency – a most dangerous exception to make.

Here’s the three points I wrote :

“First. Even if Singapore were to consider changing the penalties for drug trafficking, it should occur under proper parliamentary procedure in due course. Commuting Nguyen sends out the worst possible signal possible - that expats can escape the drug trafficking penalty that applies to Singaporeans; or that our sovereignty is easily compromised by external pressure.

He have to die, even if future convicts may escape the death penalty under revised legislation, and there's no other way about it.

Second. The argument about Nguyen being in transit is flawed. If the laws against trafficking does not apply to the transit lobby, then does it mean that we should tolerate traffickers swapping drugs and arms in there? Either our laws apply, and apply fully, or it doesn't.

Clearly it needs to apply, and apply fully.

Third. Whether the death penalty is appropriate for drug trafficking is a matter of differing opinions. There are no conclusive studies that can prove whether the abolishing of the death penalty will improve or worsen the drug situation in Singapore, in the short term and the long term.

What is apparent though, is that the current laws did create a Singapore that is largely clear of the scourge of drug addiction. For changes to apply to something that works, there is a need for conclusive evidence as well as compelling circumstances.

So far there are none.”