Drug-related crimes are punishable by death in Singapore. In detail, the possession, consumption, manufacturing, import, export, or trafficking of drugs in any amount is illegal. Hence, Singapore is famous for being one of the strictest countries for drug-related crimes. The Singapore government’s call to execute a Malaysian drug smuggler is facing global opposition.

Firstly, the drug smuggler is likely to have intellectual disabilities. Therefore, more than 60,000 people signed petitions calling for Singapore’s president to pardon him. Also, the execution of a mentally ill person is a crime as per the international human rights law. Real Research sought to know the public opinion on this matter.

Highlights

  • 51.34% are aware of the Singapore government’s call to execute a Malaysian drug smuggler
  • The death penalty prevents similar crimes from occurring says 25.97%
  • 25. 26% say the death penalty is an extremely cruel and inhuman punishment
  • 48.38% say their countries carry out death penalties

The Execution of a Drug Smuggler With Intellectual Disabilities in Singapore

Singapore is well known for implying a death penalty on drug smuggling in the country. The Real Research online survey application shows that 51.34% are aware of the execution of a drug smuggler with intellectual disabilities in Singapore. Moving on, 48.66% are unaware of this.

Figure 1: Respondents thoughts on executing people with intellectual and mental disabilities

Real Research goes on to ask what respondents think about executing people with intellectual and mental disabilities. 27.27% say ‘I believe execution is right and just for them if they committed crimes’. 10.24% say it’s proper to make decisions as per the severity of the crime.  On the other hand, 9.80% are against the idea of executing people with disabilities. Following after is, other (23.52%) and not sure (29.16%).

Read Also: Human rights violations around the world

Death Penalty Prevents Similar Crimes From Occurring Again

Singapore is still carrying out death penalties no matter the opposition from human rights organizations or other countries. As an individual are you for or against the death penalty? Responding to the Real Research survey, 30.05% say they are for the death penalty. 11.50% are against the death penalty. ‘It depends on the severity of the crime’ says 12.46%. After, 45.99% say ‘Not sure’.

The reasons for people who support executions are that ‘the death penalty can prevent similar crimes’ 25.97%. Also, violent offenders can commit crimes again once they are released (9.44), taxes on death row inmates can be saved (3.36%). It raises social awareness (3.49%), other (22.72%), not sure (29.30%), and I am against the death penalty (5.73%).

Figure 2: Respondents reasons for supporting the death penalty

On another note, not everyone supports the death penalty. (25.26%) say it’s an extremely cruel and inhuman punishment. Additionally, violent offenders are also human beings, thus their human rights should be respected (6.68%). Innocent people suffer from false accusations due to improper investigation, manipulation, or misjudgment (6.06%). Adding on, criminals deserve an opportunity to repent for their actions regardless of how bad their crime is (1.65%).

Figure 3: Reasons from respondents against the death penalty

48.38% Say Their Countries Carry Out Death Penalties

Do respondents reside or come from countries that carry out death penalties. The majority (48.38%) say ‘Yes’.  18.64% say ‘No’. The remaining 37.98% say ‘Not Sure’.

Figure 4: The majority say that their country carries out executions

Lastly, what are the respondent’s final thoughts on the issue in Singapore? To begin with, the convict must receive the death penalty (28.70%). Also, the convict deserves life imprisonment (9.33%). Additionally, the convict should be able to receive treatment in a mental health clinic during a stay of execution, taking into account the possible intellectual disabilities (8.97%). Lastly, the convict should be freed (3.20%). On the other hand, 49.80% say ‘Not sure’.

In conclusion, the death penalty is a debatable issue in many countries. Some are arguing that it reduces crime. Besides, why should a person who committed a crime be pardoned? Meanwhile, there are those stating that everyone deserves a second chance. At the end of it all, every country has rules regarding the death penalty. Hence, every punishment is done as per the country’s laws and regulations.

Methodology

Survey TitlePublic Opinion on The Execution of A Drug Smuggler With Possible Intellectual Disabilities In Singapore
DurationNovember 13 – November 20, 2021
Number of Participants30,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.