Singapore Executes Woman for Trafficking 31 Grams of Heroin; First Execution of a Woman in 19 Years

On Friday, August 6, Singapore executed a woman for the first time in 19 years. This was the second execution in the country this week due to drug trafficking. Human rights groups, international activists, and the United Nations have repeatedly urged this city-state to halt the death penalty for drug-related offenses. Activists say another execution is scheduled for next week. According to the Associated Press, the Central Narcotics Bureau stated that Saridoy Jamani, a 45-year-old woman, was sentenced to death for trafficking approximately 31 grams of diamorphine or pure heroin in 2018. This amount is said to be enough to supply a week's worth of consumption for 370 addicts. Under Singapore's laws, trafficking more than 500 grams of marijuana and 15 grams of heroin carries the death penalty. Human rights groups, international activists, and the United Nations have called on Singapore to stop executions for drug-related crimes, stating there is increasing evidence that this practice is ineffective as a deterrent. However, Singaporean officials insist that the death penalty is crucial for curbing the demand and supply of drugs. According to human rights groups, since the resumption of executions in Singapore in March 2022, 15 people have been executed for drug-related offenses, averaging one person per month.