Urgent Pleas Mount to Halt Execution of Malaysian Pannir Selvam in Singapore

Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, a Malaysian on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking, is set to be executed on February 20, prompting widespread calls for clemency. Organizations such as LawAsia and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association are advocating against his execution, arguing that the mandatory death penalty for drug offenses fails to meet international human rights standards. Pannir, who was convicted in 2017 for acting as a drug courier, had claimed to have cooperated with authorities but was denied a Certificate of Substantive Assistance that could have spared him from capital punishment. Malaysian lawmakers and civil society groups are urging their government to intervene diplomatically with Singapore to seek a review of Pannir's case. Advocates point to a global trend towards abolishing the death penalty, particularly for non-violent drug offenses, and highlight the need for rehabilitation over punitive measures. As time runs out, the situation has reignited debates on the fairness of Singapore's strict drug laws and the death penalty's role as a deterrent.