Opinion: Why Your Country Should Abolish the Death Penalty

Elbegdorj Tsakhia, former president of Mongolia from 2009 to 2017 and current commissioner of the International Committee against Death Penalty (ICDP), shares his views on the recent presidential election in Singapore. Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected as the new president in a landslide victory, although the role is mainly ceremonial with the prime minister being the head of government. However, the president does have the power to potentially disrupt the identity of this Asian nation-state and convey a significant message worldwide.

The power to grant clemency to death row inmates.

Elbegdorj Tsakhia

Courtesy Elbegdorj Tsakhia

This power has the potential to significantly transform a nation and its global reputation. I certainly understand this, as I once wielded this power during my tenure as the President of Mongolia.

Upon assuming office in 2009, I swiftly became aware of the arbitrary, secretive, and inhumane nature of the death penalty system in Mongolia. Exercising my authority as President, I initially pardoned all individuals slated for execution.

Initiating the legislative process for complete abolition, despite facing resistance, resulted in the accomplishment of the goal in 2016. One of the proudest moments in my political career was when Mongolia signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, leading to the removal of the death penalty from all national statutes.

It is worth noting that our country was not alone in moving away from capital punishment. By the end of 2022, over two-thirds of the world's nations had abolished the practice, as reported by the Death Penalty Information Center based in Washington, DC. Recently, Amnesty International highlighted the abolishment of the death penalty for all crimes in four countries: Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Central African Republic.

Executions are on the rise in many parts of the world, despite only 20 countries carrying out executions last year. This increase can be attributed to a few notable countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, according to the Amnesty report. The report highlights that known executions, excluding those in China, have increased significantly by 53% from 579 in 2021 to 883 in 2022.

This is particularly concerning in the case of Singapore, where the frequent use of the death penalty has been a cause for alarm. Since the resumption of executions in March 2022, following the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore has executed 16 individuals, all of whom were convicted for drug offenses.

The recent executions of three prisoners convicted of small-scale drug trafficking, which notably included the hanging of a woman for the first time in almost two decades, raise significant concerns. The country's harsh approach raises moral and ethical questions, while providing limited effectiveness in deterring crime or enhancing the safety of Singaporeans. According to research conducted by Amnesty International, there is no evidence that the death penalty acts as a stronger deterrent to crime compared to life imprisonment.

The fact is that capital punishment is not an unavoidable aspect of the political and judicial landscape in Asia. Abolishing it does not impose Western values on our societies. It is a decision based on universal human rights, a decision that the majority of nations worldwide have already made.

When I assumed the presidency of Mongolia, there were five crimes that carried the death penalty: two types of terrorist attacks, sabotage, rape, and aggravated murder. As expected, abolishing the death penalty did not result in a surge of violent crime in Mongolia. Homicide rates were already declining, and they continued to decline. Furthermore, crime rates were seemingly unaffected by the abolition, indicating that the executions had never acted as a deterrent in the first place.

In light of my personal experience, I firmly oppose the death penalty in any circumstance. However, I find it particularly troubling that nonviolent drug offenses in Singapore continue to be punished with such severity. This harsh approach fails to address the root causes and would be better addressed through policies focused on minimizing harm and promoting public health, rather than resorting to punishment.

Specifically, targeting individuals at the lowest level of the illegal drug trade poses significant challenges. Many of these individuals are coerced into their actions and can easily be replaced if arrested. Executing drug traffickers does not provide a solution to the larger issues at hand. Furthermore, Singapore's stance on this matter stands in contrast to neighboring countries, such as Thailand, which has decriminalized the use of cannabis, and Malaysia, where legislation is being introduced to follow suit.

Singapore's accomplishments in various areas, particularly in addressing crime and drug use, have been acknowledged by many individuals. The country's wise decisions have had a substantial influence, with its exceptional investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure playing a significant role in maintaining stability and prosperity.

Moreover, Singapore boasts a highly educated and skilled workforce, and its passport is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after travel documents worldwide. There is undoubtedly much to take pride in, as Singapore has successfully built a robust national reputation.

Content must be carefully managed in order to maintain and enhance brand reputation. Singapores execution spree in the past year has generated significant global attention and raised questions among its citizens about the necessity and effectiveness of such a brutal punishment. Despite growing evidence indicating that the death penalty causes more harm than good, many Singaporeans still express support for it, although a 2018 study revealed lower support when scenarios involving drug trafficking were presented.

Nevertheless, the Singaporean government steadfastly maintains that capital punishment acts as a deterrent for drug traffickers and promotes public safety. In a letter to The Atlantic earlier this year, Singapore's ambassador to the United States, Lui Tuck Yew, emphasized that each country has the freedom to choose its own approach. He contended that Singapore's approach has saved numerous lives and established the country as one of the safest places in the world.

Although President Tharman has not publicly expressed his stance on capital punishment, his recent statement at a forum advocating for multiple opportunities for individuals suggests a potential shift in the government's strict policy. As we all share a genuine aspiration for our nations to thrive, it is believed that Singapore would benefit from abolishing the death penalty.