Singapore has carried out 17 executions this year for drug and murder offences, the highest annual figure since 2003, reigniting debate over the city-state’s continued use of the death penalty.
Last week alone, three convicted drug traffickers were hanged: Singaporeans Mohammad Rizwan bin Akbar Husain, 44, and another unnamed citizen, plus Malaysian Saminathan Selvaraju, 42.
The Ministry of Home Affairs stressed that all had exhausted appeals and clemency processes, receiving full due process under Singapore law.
Constitutional Challenge Looms
A court hearing on December 3 will examine a challenge to the death penalty’s constitutionality brought by the Transformative Justice Collective and relatives of executed prisoners.
Activist Kirsten Han said a favourable ruling would mean recent and past drug-related executions were unlawful.
The group argues such offences do not qualify as the “most serious crimes” under international standards.
Government Defends Tough Stance
Singapore maintains capital punishment deters drug trafficking and keeps the nation among the world’s safest.
Officials point to lower drug inflows since mandatory death sentences were introduced in 1975 and note the Central Narcotics Bureau arrested over 3,100 abusers this year.
International criticism has grown, with the European Union last week expressing regret over the 2025 executions.
Despite global trends toward abolition, Singapore shows no sign of softening its policy, drawing sharp responses from activists who question the eagerness to impose death sentences in citizens’ name.
