death penalty
a little belated perhaps, but about the hanging of drug trafficker nguyen ... it's one thing to read and hear about it from singapore news sources, and another to be in the country where nguyen's case makes newspaper headlines on almost every newspaper and tabloid, takes up at least 10 minutes of more of tv and radio airtime and where one walks into a peaceful gathering (of more than 4 people!) protesting the execution of nguyen and the death penalty in general in sydney's martin place. it was also scary to see how singaporeans' ignorance about the case was portrayed by the australian media. apparently none of those interviewed on orchard road had heard about the case ... and could only say that they would support the government's decision, no matter what it was, on this case. of course, it may be that the media was trying to sensationalize their angle of the story that singaporeans are a generally politically/socially apathetic bunch, but still ... that news snippet left me squirming uncomfortably in my seat. i did hear (did you in singapore hear the same?), however, that there were singaporeans who organized a mini candlelight vigil near the changi prison gates on the night before nguyen's hanging. and they were careful to make sure it was not an illegal gathering by going up to the vicinity of the prison two by two with candles.
i actually picked up a yellow ribbon from one of the amnesty international guys at sydney's martin place, because i think i'm not for the death penalty (does it really serve as a deterrent for future offenders and a panacea for criminal activities? do you repay death with death in the case of murderers? who gives anyone the authority to end another person's life? cane them a thousand times if you must, but i think there's no reason to hang them unless in extreme cases). i do think, however, that there wasn't a case for australians protesting nguyen's punishment. afterall, he did bring the drugs through singapore when legislation had it that drug traffickers will be hanged. also, to have the government back down at that point of time would also open the floodgates for future offenders to appeal on perhaps less convincing grounds for clemency. and what about the families of those singaporeans and malaysians who were hanged for their offences in singapore before? there would be no equity in that sense. interestingly enough, i spoke to an elderly australian man at one of the motels we were staying at on the eve of nguyen's hanging and upon learning that i was from singapore, said, "you should just hang him. hang him today, don't wait until tomorrow!" interestingly enough, australians were equally divided as to whether nguyen should be hanged.
anyway, nguyen's dead now and i hope his family and friends find closure somehow. in the end, it's all about losing a loved one (reasonably or unreasonably is still open to debate) and that's always painful.
i actually picked up a yellow ribbon from one of the amnesty international guys at sydney's martin place, because i think i'm not for the death penalty (does it really serve as a deterrent for future offenders and a panacea for criminal activities? do you repay death with death in the case of murderers? who gives anyone the authority to end another person's life? cane them a thousand times if you must, but i think there's no reason to hang them unless in extreme cases). i do think, however, that there wasn't a case for australians protesting nguyen's punishment. afterall, he did bring the drugs through singapore when legislation had it that drug traffickers will be hanged. also, to have the government back down at that point of time would also open the floodgates for future offenders to appeal on perhaps less convincing grounds for clemency. and what about the families of those singaporeans and malaysians who were hanged for their offences in singapore before? there would be no equity in that sense. interestingly enough, i spoke to an elderly australian man at one of the motels we were staying at on the eve of nguyen's hanging and upon learning that i was from singapore, said, "you should just hang him. hang him today, don't wait until tomorrow!" interestingly enough, australians were equally divided as to whether nguyen should be hanged.
anyway, nguyen's dead now and i hope his family and friends find closure somehow. in the end, it's all about losing a loved one (reasonably or unreasonably is still open to debate) and that's always painful.