The Malaysian human rights commission Suhakam expresses grave concern over reports of the imminent executions of four Malaysian citizens, Datchinamurthy Kataiah, Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, Saminathan Selvaraju, and Lingkesvaran Rajendaren, who are currently on death row in Singapore for drug-related offences.
Suhakam’s stance against the death penalty is rooted in our unwavering belief in justice, dignity and the possibility of rehabilitation for all.
The mandatory death sentence strips judges of the discretion to weigh the individual circumstances of each case, undermining the principles of fairness that should form the foundation of any legal system.
Although Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights permits the use of the death penalty only for the “most serious” crimes, Suhakam emphasises that the human rights committee, which interprets the covenant, has consistently ruled that drug-related offences do not meet this standard.
The planned execution violates Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”.
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The irreversible nature of the death penalty, particularly in cases with significant mitigating factors, erodes the core values of human dignity and justice.
In line with Malaysia’s own reform path, including the abolition of the mandatory death penalty in 2023, Suhakam reiterates its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances, and stresses that the use of capital punishment for drug offences is both unlawful and disproportionate.
Suhakam therefore urges the Malaysian government to:
- take all possible diplomatic and legal measures to safeguard the rights and lives of Malaysian citizens on death row abroad
- engage international and regional human rights mechanisms to ensure their cases receive due consideration
- continue Malaysia’s leadership role in advocating for the progressive abolition of the death penalty at the regional and international levels
Suhakam stands firm in advocating for justice, compassion and the inherent rights of all individuals, regardless of nationality or circumstance and will continue to support efforts to protect the rights of Malaysians overseas and to advance the broader movement towards the abolition of the death penalty. – Suhakam
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