At 2.30pm today, the legal battle to #SaveNagaenthran commenced in the Supreme Court. Prominent lawyer M Ravi argued that there is no rational nexus between Nagaenthran’s execution and the social object of deterrence because “his mental disability does not allow him to understand or appreciate deterrence”, and therefore contended that “the execution is irrational and… capricious” . In a divine and propitious turn of events, the High Court has granted a stay of execution, pending the hearing of the Court of Appeal.

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, 237 family members and friends of death row prisoners in Singapore have rallied together to sign a clemency appeal letter for Nagaenthran. The letter emphasises how many death row prisoners, most of whom are sentenced for non-violent drug-related offences, come from the peripheries of society, and need care, resources and support rather than violent capital punishment. It is is piercing indictment of the trauma and hardship that those on death row endure, and the devastating ripple effects on the families and communities of those condemned to death.

On a global scale, the European Union (EU) has called on the Singapore authorities to commute Nagaenthran’s death sentence. In a statement issued yesterday, the EU asserted:

“[We] oppose the use of capital punishment, which can never be justified, and advocate for Singapore to adopt a moratorium on all executions as a positive first step towards its abolition.

Today, more than two thirds of the countries of the world have become abolitionist in law or practice, which confirms a global trend in favour of the abolition of the death penalty. No compelling evidence exists to show that the death penalty serves as a more efficient deterrent to crime than imprisonment. Moreover, rehabilitation as an objective of modern criminal law is frustrated by the application of capital punishment. Furthermore, any errors - inevitable in any legal system - are irreversible.”

LAWASIA has also released a statement of concern, in which they implore the Singaporean Government to consider the gravity of the penalty in relation to the conflicting medical evidence, and utilise the legislative measure under s. 33B(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. They have also called upon the President to exercise her clemency powers, and have urged the Singapore Government to implement a moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

In terms of media coverage, news on our campaign to #SaveNagaenthran has made its way to The Guardian, CNN, Platocast, and BFM Business radio station. The Singapore Anti-Death Penalty Campaign has also responded to MHA's latest comments by stating that they are "not surprised but rather, deeply saddened by Singapore’s obstinate refusal to review its archaic laws", and underscored the fact that "marginalisation presents vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by drug cartels, especially in a time of financial desperation".

Last night, a candlelight vigil for Nagaenthran took place in front of the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur; Malaysians lit candles as they stood in solidarity with their fellow countryman and his family. Similarly, Malaysian activists, including volunteers from United Sikhs Malaysia, have been taking turns to protest Naga’s execution outside the Singapore High Commission every day. Additionally, Transformative Justice Collective has posted a heartfelt video of Naga’s family members pleading for the Singapore government to spare Nagaenthran’s life.

In their latest article, The New Naratif highlighted the injustice of Nagaenthran's death sentence, as well as the ineffectiveness of capital punishment in protecting Singapore from drugs. 

Here is an excerpt from the article:

“Although people like to tell anti-death penalty activists and drug policy reform advocates to “think of the victims and the families destroyed by drugs”, such a harsh approach to drugs doesn’t actually help people who struggle with drug use. “On the contrary, punitive policies foster stigma, discrimination and marginalisation, which in turn prevent people from seeking help when needed,” Girelli says.

Although the High Court has granted a stay of execution, the possibility that Nagaenthran will be executed is still painfully real. The situation is still extremely precarious, but even a sliver of hope is precious. This interim stay, however long it lasts, is an opportunity for us to intensify and expand our efforts to #SaveNagaenthran. Let's continue to garner the support of the public, and relentlessly speak up for Naga and his family.

(Pictured above: Nagaenthran's family members in Ipoh, Malaysia.)