[RE: UP-58-2005: SINGAPORE: Urgent intervention required for prisoner on death row who faces hanging in less than two days; FA-14-2005: [UPDATE] Singapore: Urgent intervention required for prisoner on death row]
Dear friends,
It is with sadness that the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) informs you of the death of Mr Shanmugam Murugesu, who was hanged on 13 May 2005. Shanmugam Murugesu, a father of two, was sentenced to death for attempting to take cannabis into Singapore in 2003. His twin sons are now without their father and his aged mother has lost her son.
Prior to his death, Shanmugam Murugesu said he regretted his mistake and asked why he was not given the opportunity to rehabilitate. He was remorseful about his deed and asked the State not to kill him. Sadly, his pleas were ignored.
There are eight more persons facing the same fate as Shanmugam Murugesu in Singapore right now. The death penalty, like torture, should be rejected by all, as it has no place in a civilised society. We ask that you write to the following authorities to voice your condemnation of Shanmugam Murugesu’s death, and to call for an end to the death penalty in Singapore.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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Suggested action:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below to voice your condemnation of Shanmugam Murugesu’s death and the death penalty in general.
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To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _________,
Singapore: Death to father of two by the Singaporean 'justice' system
I have come to know of the death of Shanmugam Murugesu, who was hanged in Singapore on 13 May 2005. Shanmugam Murugesu, a father of two, was charged with attempting to take cannabis into Singapore in 2003. Despite co-operating fully with the police and providing them with information about the ringleader of the drug smuggling operation he was involved in, Shanmugam Murugesu was found guilty and sentenced to death. Though the Singapore President, S. R. Nathan could have granted his petition for clemency, he chose not to. As such, Shanmugam Murugesu' was executed; his twin sons are now without their father and his aged mother has lost her son.
Prior to his death, Shanmugam Murugesu said he regretted his mistake and asked why he was not given the opportunity to rehabilitate. He was remorseful about his deed and asked the State not to kill him. He also challenged the justice of the death penalty asking fellow Singaporeans and the international community to campaign against hangings. Sadly, Shanmugam Murugesu's pleas were ignored.
I am aware that there are eight more persons facing the same fate as Shanmugam Murugesu in Singapore right now. The death penalty, like torture, should be rejected by all, as it has no place in a civilised society. I therefore call on you to use your authority to have the death penalty in Singapore abolished. What is at stake here is the right to life, that most precious and pure of all human rights. The death penalty is no substitute for any crime committed. A criminal justice system implementing the death penalty is uncivilised, and the act altogether uncalled for. A government claiming to stand for the protection and promotion of human rights cannot also stand in favour of killing its citizens, irrespective of their crimes.
I also urge you to take steps so that Singapore ratifies the Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibits the death penalty, at the earliest time.
I look forward to your intervention.
Thank you,
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SEND LETTERS TO:
1. The President
His Excellency S R Nathan
Office of the President
Istana, Orchard Road
Republic of Singapore 0922
Faxes: + 65 738 4673
2. The Honourable Goh Chok Tong
Senior Minister
Office of the Senior Minister
Istana Annexe
Singapore 238823
Email: goh_chok@pmo.gov.sg
3. The Honourable Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Istana Annexe
Singapore 238823
Email: Hsien_Loong_LEE@pmo.gov.sg
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
4. Wong Kan Seng
Minister of Home Affairs
New Phoenix Park 28,
Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329560
Fax: + 65 6734 4420
Email: Wong_Kan_Seng@mha.gov.sg
5. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Atten: Lydie Ventre
Room 3-016, c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9155
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (general)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
