Death Penalty Singapore

This coming Friday a young Australian (Van Tuong Nguyen) will be hanged In Singapore if we can not get the Singaporean Prime Minister to change his mind. This young man is 24-years old. He was arrested in March 2004 (In Changi Airport) whilst in transit back to Sydney. He was carrying 396.2 grams of heroin. This is a crime granted, but the circumstances were that he was taking the drugs back to Australia to clear the debts of his brother, who was a heroin addict. Van should be punished by death by hanging in this day and age is barbaric and inhumane. There is also a legal question that has yet to be addressed and that is did the Singaporean authorities have the legal right to arrest and condemn to death a citizen of another country who is fact did not set foot outside of the airport.

Please sign the attached petition. Van’s days are numbered. Van is not a drug baron. He is a young and silly courier. He does NOT deserve to die for this is foolishness.




www.thepetitionsite.com...

Indeed Lady of the lake dose raises an interesting point one can only assume the Australian governmnet would have made light of the fact that Van’s arrest was illegel. Im against the death senctence however Van was dumb enough to smuggle heroin even if his motives may have been to help another person. Van is subject to the laws of Singapore just like any other vistor.

[edit on 27-11-2005 by xpert11]

It wasn't his fault either.

he only tried to save his bastard brother

Originally posted by chinawhite
It wasn't his fault either.

Was he forced to smuggle heroin?
No Van made the choice to do so.

he only tried to save his bastard brother

That may be true but his motives dont change the law. Let this be a lesson to others moral high ground dosnt change the law.

I flew into Singapore from Bangkok this past summer. On the airplne they said over the P.A. just before landing. "Anyone smuggling illeagal drugs into Singapore may be imprisoned for life executed!" Not at all joking this is what was said. They also re x-rayed everyones bag after landing. I've been to many airports in many countries and never experienced this before. Im against the death penalty and hope this doesn't happen to this guy. These kind of things happen in SE Asia as backpackers think they can make some easy money. I only spent a few days in Singapore but it all seemed a little to "nice" and "clean" when I wonder if it is only this way due to their horrific prison/death sentences.

Originally posted by xpert11

Originally posted by chinawhite
It wasn't his fault either.

Was he forced to smuggle heroin?
No Van made the choice to do so.

He certainly did. But does that automatically justify any means of punishment? Even such abhorrent acts as executions?

Originally posted by xpert11

Originally posted by chinawhite
he only tried to save his bastard brother

That may be true but his motives dont change the law. Let this be a lesson to others moral high ground dosnt change the law.

"Let this be a lesson??" That's your actual opinion here? Let me ask you this. What's your opinion on the idea of promoting Human Rights? Would you use this reasoning of yours no matter what means of punishment used in a case such as this one? How about torture? How about if this case concerned an adolescent? Would you still support such barbaric methods of punishment if they were permitted by local laws?

[edit on 27-11-2005 by Durden]

All that everyone has said is true. I fly into Singapore almost monthly and they make it very clear what the penalties are. However, when you are 24-years of age you always believe you can beat the system (foolish yes but such is the arrogance of youth). None of us I suspect have ever been in the situation where drug dealers are threatening one of our relatives. Who knows the level of fear this young man felt? Not excusing what he did just trying to understand the pressure he was under. I do have first hand experience within my family of heroin addiction. I do know the levels that addicts will go to obtain money to buy drugs. Thank-fully my nephew beat the problem but it took 8-years of struggle. I accept it is people like Van that bring the drugs in but he is a little fish and I don’t want him to die for what he has done.

All of this aside, death by hanging is a horrible, horrible way to die. Do we have the right to ask anyone to commit murder whether Government sanctions this or not. It is still murder and there has to be a better way of punishing people.

I support the death penalty, but only for heinous crimes and for souless sociopathic persons of evil. This is not the case.

I think Singapore's laws are entirely too strict. If they wanna execute drug sumgglers, thats fine. Its their country, and they can do what they want. But I feel there are mitigating circumstances here, and I feel the government should show a little bit of leniency in this case.

It might help tourism a bit. Plus, in all honesty, I oppose drug laws period, and feel this young mans "crime" is so petty.

I know if they execute him, Ill never go to Singapore.

Durden I have already stated that Im am against the death sentence. I dont agree with the sentence but the facts dont change. Van knew the risks he was taking and at it backfired. In this case the outcome will cost him his life.

Originally posted by xpert11
Durden I have already stated that Im am against the death sentence.

Yes, you did. And like I stated in my previous post, you also said "let this be a lesson to others". Which sure sounds like acceptance. So how about it? Would you still carry the same line of reasoning whatever the circumstances? And again, how do you feel about the idea of promoting Human Rights (which certainly isn't the same thing as ending up dismissing incidents such as this one saying "let this be a lesson to others").


[edit on 28-11-2005 by Durden]

I respect Singapore's laws and believe it is not my business to try and change them. However, I do believe the punishment should fit the crime. This guy was trying to bring the heroin into Australia, so Singapore is executing him for any potential harm the heroin might inflict on Australians? I believe there should be an arrangement between the governments of Singapore and Australia to deal with exporting of drugs to Australia differently. Australia is the selling grounds for these smugglers and it therefore affects Australia in the end. As a result, there should be an agreement to deport such criminals and allow Australia to deal with them.

Singapore's laws are ludicrously harsh. You only need to look at the no chewing gum and no spitting laws. Honestly, their death penalty seems like Sharia to me.



[edit on 28-11-2005 by cargo]

Durden I dont have a problem with human rights being promoted. Vans death sentence will give human rights promoters a case that is freash in peoples mind and highlights the issues that surround exection. My reasoning stands up in any circumstances.

Originally posted by Lady of the Lake
There is also a legal question that has yet to be addressed and that is did the Singaporean authorities have the legal right to arrest and condemn to death a citizen of another country who is fact did not set foot outside of the airport.

If you enter the territory of a nation, you are subject to its laws, PERIOD. If you are going to Singapore, DO NOT bring illegal drugs PERIOD!

Also, to the person who mentioned the chewing gum ban, that has been lifted in several situations.

Originally posted by xpert11
Was he forced to smuggle heroin?
No Van made the choice to do so.

Let me re-phase that. He wouldn't have dont it if his brother didnt have such a large debt

That may be true but his motives dont change the law. Let this be a lesson to others moral high ground dosnt change the law.

I know he deserves it but damn that is unlucky.

Laws are laws

Did anyone else but me go to his funneral?

Had I lived in Melbourne I would have gone. I think it is wonderful that so many people did go.

Were you a friend?