Singapore will breach international law if mentally disabled Malaysian’s executed

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Singapore will breach international law if mentally disabled Malaysian’s execution proceeds: rights group

KUALA LUMPUR – Singapore will be disregarding international law if it proceeds with executing the mentally disabled Malaysian Nagaenthran Dhamalingam who is convicted of drug trafficking, a rights group said.

The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (Adpan) said this was because international law expressly forbids the execution of any individual with mental or intellectual disabilities.

In a statement, Adpan executive coordinator Dobby Chew pointed to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remark in May, in which he pledged the protection of vulnerable groups as a key priority for the government.

“Nagaenthran’s execution will be in flagrant disregard of international law,” Chew said.

“Singapore’s obligation under the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities suggests that the prime minister’s commitment to the vulnerable community does not extend to all.”

The statement came after Adpan submitted a memorandum to the Singapore Embassy in Kuala Lumpur calling for Nagaenthran’s scheduled execution to be halted and commuted.

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