On Mon, 27 Jun 2005 09:28:13 -0400, Steven Shelikoff
wrote:



I do not have the figures for last year but do know that Singapore
hanged 273 foreign nationals in 2003 regardless of country of origin.

Yeah, but for what? Maybe they were convicted of murder or some other
serious crime.

Steve

I don't have the figures but do know that some were for murder but most were
hanged for drug smuggling or drug dealing as well as the possession of firearms.
If one really wishes, one may attend a hanging at Changi Gaol in Singapore where
they are carried out on Friday mornings. It should be borne in mind that both
Singapore and Malaysia, though independent, adhere firmly to the British based
justice system. In Malaysia, if there is no local precedent, one may be chosen
from either Britain, Australia, New Zealand or India. As in Indonesia there are
lengthy appeal proceedures but, unlike some states in the USA (this is not a
criticism so don't feel the need to label me a yank basher), there is no lengthy
on again- off again many years death row habitation of those wo have been
sentenced to death.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are currently exploring adding engaging in
child prostitution or the smuggling of children for the sex trade as offences
for which the death penalty may be applied. May sound draconian to some, and,
coming from a country with no death penalty, am not sure how I feel myself. The
sight of frightened young girls, bought for US$300 in Cambodia, intercepted on
the way to the brothels is rather disturbing to say the least. They generally
don't live to adulthood.

Peter H