Ending the Death Penalty for Drug-related Offences: A Global Imperative

Why the Death Penalty for Drug-Related Offences Must Be Abolished

This op-ed was written by Rebeca Marques Rocha and reviewed by Ruby Lawlor in response to the execution of Tangaraju Suppiah (Appu).

The death penalty has been discussed worldwide, with the public debate grappling with the morality and efficacy of this extreme and disproportional response to criminal offences. The topic reveals new layers of complexity when it comes to drug-related offences. Firstly, drugs can be used for a constellation of reasons, such as cultural expression and pleasure, and we must recognize that drug consumption is not necessarily connected to a problem. People should be free to consume drugs if they wish, without the fear of facing extreme and disproportional state responses. Secondly, beyond individual freedom and human rights, we should also acknowledge that drug use and distribution of drugs can be tied to issues of addiction, poverty, and systemic oppression.?

The execution of Tangaraju Suppiah (Appu) in Singapore for drug-related offences is a tragic example of how the death penalty is unjust and frequently used as a weapon against marginalized communities. Suppiah was?convicted?of abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic 1,017.9g of cannabis in 2017. Despite maintaining his innocence at all times, he was sentenced to death in December 2018. His execution this week has sparked outrage among human rights activists and advocates who have long called for an end to the death penalty.?

Despite a growing?body?of?evidence?indicating the?harmful?outcomes of the war on drugs, a long list of countries still perceive drug use as a criminal offence rather than addressing it in the public health sphere. Those who are convicted of drug-related crimes are often subjected to severe punishments, including the death penalty. This approach is misguided and ineffective, as it fails to address the root causes of drug use and addiction for those struggling with problematic drug use. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of punishment and marginalization that only serves to further harm those who are already vulnerable, as a result of the War on Drugs.?

According to the 2022?Death Penalty Report?by Harm Reduction International, at least 35 countries still have laws that allow for the death penalty for drug-related offences, with several of them actively using this punishment. In 2021, at least 1,000 people were executed for drug-related offences, a decrease from the previous year but still a shocking number. The report also highlights the fact that those who are executed for drug-related offences are often poor, marginalized, and lack access to effective legal representation, making them even more vulnerable to being wrongfully and arbitrarily convicted and sentenced.?

"In 2021, at least 1,000 people were executed for drug-related offences"

2022 Death Penalty Report (Harm Reduction International)

The death penalty is still seen as a way to deter crime. However,?numerous studies?have shown that the threat of execution does not deter drug use or trafficking. Instead, it drives the trade underground and makes it more dangerous for all involved, including law enforcement officials and civilians. In countries where the death penalty for drug-related charges is still in place, such as?Indonesia?and the?Philippines, drug use and trafficking continue to be major problems. Instead of reducing drug-related offences, the death penalty perpetuates a cycle of violence and further marginalizes already vulnerable communities.

We cannot ignore the fact that the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences is a violation of human rights and further perpetuates systemic injustices. We must also consider the impact that the death penalty has on families and communities. The execution of a loved one can have long-lasting and devastating?effects?on those left behind, further perpetuating cycles of trauma and poverty.?

It is time for a paradigm shift in how we address drug-related matters. The use of the death penalty in drug-related cases often leads to wrongful convictions and exacerbates existing social inequalities, as marginalized communities are disproportionately targeted and punished. It is imperative that we, as a global community, recognize the unjust nature of executing individuals for drug-related offences and work towards abolishing the death penalty in all cases. We must prioritize public health and evidence-based policies guided by the principle of harm reduction and rehabilitation rather than punishment and retribution.?

Abolishing the death penalty for drug-related offences is not a radical or unrealistic goal. In fact, many countries and jurisdictions around the world have already taken steps towards this goal. In?2019, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) called for an end to the use of the death penalty for drug-related offences, recognizing that such policies are ineffective and a violation of human rights.?Evidence?has shown that harm reduction practices – such as access to information, clean supplies and counseling in a stigma-free environment, voluntary treatment, and peer programs – are far more effective in reducing drug use and related harms.?

Indeed, countries such as Portugal and Uruguay have implemented policies that prioritize harm reduction and rehabilitation over punishment, resulting in significant reductions in drug use and related harms. Portugal decriminalized drug use and possession in?2001, and as a result, the country has seen a decrease in drug use and related harms, including a decline in overdose deaths and HIV infections. Uruguay, on the other hand, has?legalized?cannabis in 2013, and implemented policies that prioritize public health and education over punishment. These policies have resulted in a decrease in drug trafficking rates, along with increases in its annual GDP.?

Responses based on evidence, human rights and harm reduction should guide our drug policies. Governments should be focusing on reducing potential harms associated with drug use. The death penalty inflicts avoidable and unnecessary pain onto communities and brings long-lasting harmful consequences to society as a whole. Resources should be redirected towards more effective and humane ways of addressing drug-related problems, such as harm reduction strategies and community-based rehabilitation programs. The execution of Tangaraju Suppiah (Appu) for drug-related offences is a tragic reminder of the unjust and ineffective nature of the death penalty.

Dedicated to the memory of all those who have suffered from unjust and disproportionate capital punishment.?Rest in power.