Singapore is set to carry out another execution of a man convicted of possessing cannabis, just three weeks after the hanging of Tangaraju Suppiah for a similar offense, which sparked international protest.
Muhammad Faizal Mohd Shariff, aged 36, was among the 17 ethnic Malay inmates on death row who filed a landmark lawsuit accusing the Singaporean state of racial bias in capital punishment cases.
Last year, the suit was dismissed, and prominent human rights lawyer M Ravi, who represented the prisoners, faced heavy fines for alleged abuse of process by the attorney-general.
Ravi stated, "This is yet another instance of the death penalty being disproportionately applied against minorities, who constitute a disadvantaged segment of society, as highlighted by the United Nations in condemning Tangaraju's execution."
It is understood that Faizal, arrested in 2016 with 1.6kg of cannabis in his possession, will be executed in the early hours of May 17, following standard procedure.
Earlier today, an application to review his case was rejected by a court of appeal judge.
"It is deeply concerning that 64.9% of death row inmates are of Malay ethnicity," added Ravi, whose criticism of Singapore's prosecution of drug offenders facing the death penalty led to his five-year suspension.
Ethnic Malays account for just over 13% of Singapore's population.
Ravi further highlighted the substantial disparity between the percentage of Malays sentenced to death for drug offenses and the percentage of Malays in prison for all offenses (approximately 55%), as well as the percentage of Malays arrested for drug consumption (49.3%).
He reiterated his call for a review of Singapore's drug laws and an examination of the disproportionate representation of ethnic Malays on death row.
"Until then, all executions must be suspended," he insisted.
Last year, two of the 17 plaintiffs in the lawsuit were executed, including Nazeri Lajim, a 64-year-old Singaporean who had been battling drug addiction since the age of 14. Lajim maintained that the drugs found in his possession were for personal use.
Last month, the Singaporean government faced significant criticism for executing 46-year-old Tangaraju, convicted in 2017 of "abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic" 1,017.9g of cannabis.
The case garnered attention from the United Nations, human rights groups, and British aviation tycoon Richard Branson, who frequently denounces Singapore's death penalty for drug trafficking. Branson also highlighted how the drug lords who employ couriers from impoverished families have largely evaded punishment.
Critics have spoken out about a climate of fear among Singapore's legal fraternity when representing death row inmates, as several vocal lawyers, including Ravi, have faced penalties or lost their licenses for taking on such cases at late stages.
The ruling People's Action Party-led Singaporean government, which has governed since the country's separation from Malaysia, has rejected criticisms of its death penalty, stating that it has been effective in combating the drug menace.
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