Rights groups challenge rising executions as government defends strict anti-drug laws for public safety.

Singapore’s recent spike in drug-related executions has reignited one of the country’s most divisive debates: whether capital punishment truly deters crime or simply deepens social harm. As activists pursue a constitutional challenge and international bodies raise objections, the government insists its hardline stance is essential to keep Singapore safe.

Rising Executions Heighten Public and Global Scrutiny
Singapore executed three men for drug offences last week, bringing the total number of executions in 2025 to 17 — the highest since 2003. The timing has drawn particular attention, as these executions took place one week before a constitutional challenge against the mandatory death penalty was set to be heard.

Authorities maintain that the use of capital punishment reflects the severity of regional drug trafficking networks, which they argue continue to threaten public safety across Southeast Asia.

Harsh Drug Thresholds and Mandatory Sentencing
Under current Singapore law, anyone convicted of trafficking or related acts involving more than 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine, 250 grams of methamphetamine, or 500 grams of cannabis faces a mandatory death sentence. These thresholds have long been a point of contention among rights groups, which argue the penalties disproportionately target low-level couriers instead of syndicate leaders.

The Transformative Justice Collective, a local activist group, said Singapore’s “barbaric drug-control regime is increasingly standing alone on the world stage.”

Constitutional Challenge Pushes Back on Mandatory Penalty
Seven activists are challenging the constitutionality of the death penalty, arguing that mandatory sentencing violates the right to life and equal protection under the law. They cite Article 9 of the Singapore Constitution, which states that no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except in accordance with law.

The activists note that mandatory sentencing leaves no room for judicial discretion, individual circumstances, or rehabilitation.

The Case of Saminathan Selvaraju
Among the men executed last week was Malaysian logistics driver Saminathan Selvaraju, convicted of transporting more than 300 grams of heroin into Singapore in 2013. Saminathan maintained that multiple drivers used the company vehicle and denied ownership of pre-written immigration cards found inside, one of which carried the destination where the drugs were discovered.

Despite his defense, the court ruled that statutory presumptions under Singapore’s drug laws applied. These include the presumption that anyone found with narcotics above the legal threshold is considered a trafficker unless proven otherwise.

Saminathan participated in several civil actions over the years, including a 2022 challenge to these presumptions. Singapore’s highest court dismissed the case, ruling that the law was structured to address what it called a scourge on society.

Government Defends the Death Penalty as a Protective Measure
Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam has repeatedly argued that lifting the death penalty could lead to higher crime rates, more violence, and increased drug-related deaths, including among vulnerable groups like children. He emphasized that policymakers must prioritize the protection of the majority, even when the decisions are emotionally difficult.

A 2023 Ministry of Home Affairs survey found that 69 percent of 2,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents support capital punishment for substantial drug trafficking offenses.

International Community Voices Strong Objections
Global reactions have been sharply critical. The European Union delegation in Singapore condemned the recent hangings, stating that drug offences do not meet the international legal threshold of “most serious crimes.” The EU added that execution eliminates any possibility of rehabilitation.

Critics also argue that executing low-level couriers fails to dismantle the larger networks orchestrating the drug trade.

Ongoing Debate Shows No Signs of Slowing
While Singapore continues to defend its stance as necessary for national security, rights groups and legal experts argue that the system needs reform. Lawyer Mervyn Cheong noted the inconsistency between mandatory death sentences for drug offences and the absence of capital punishment for crimes such as genocide under international law.

Singapore’s rising number of executions underscores a widening divide between national policy, international norms, and growing domestic activism. As legal challenges unfold and criticism mounts, the debate over capital punishment will continue to shape the region’s human rights landscape and influence how both Indonesians and Singaporeans view security, justice, and social protection.

Sources: BBC (2025) , Mezha (2025)

Keywords: Singapore Executions, Drug Trafficking Penalty, Mandatory Death Sentence, Human Rights Concerns, Constitutional Challenge