Responding to the news that Pannir Selvam Pranthaman has been granted a stay of execution by the Court of Appeal of Singapore on 19 February to allow for the filing of an appeal, Amnesty International Malaysia’s human rights campaigner Qistina Johari said:
“We welcome the eleventh-hour decision by the Court of Appeal to halt Pannir Selvam’s execution. Every moment of hope counts and we continue the fight for the commutation of his death sentence,” Qistina said.
“Pannir Selvam’s case has been marred by numerous human rights violations -including of his right to a fair trial – that would render his execution arbitrary and unlawful under international law and standards.
“This stay now offers the Singapore government a critical opportunity to reverse its course for him and all those under the shadow of the gallows and establish a moratorium on all executions, as a first critical step towards abolition,” Qistina added.
“While this temporary reprieve offers a glimmer of hope for Pannir Selvam and his family, who have tirelessly struggled to have his life spared, it does not address the systemic injustices of the death penalty.
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“We renew our urgent call on the Malaysian government to step in decisively, secure a permanent commutation for Pannir Selvam, and ensure that no family is forced to endure such unbearable cruelty again,” Qistina said.
Background
On 19 February, the Court of Appeal of Singapore granted Pannir Selvam, a Malaysian national under a death sentence for a drug-related offence, a stay of execution to allow for an appeal to be filed.
Between 1 October 2024 and 7 February 2025, Singapore authorities carried out nine executions, including eight of individuals convicted of drug trafficking. Singapore is one of only five countries where Amnesty International confirmed drug-related executions in 2023.
As of today, 113 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and 144 are abolitionist in law or practice. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception. – Amnesty International Malaysia
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