Singapore: The United Nations has called on Singapore to halt the impending execution of Rosman Bin Abdallah, who was sentenced to death for drug-related offenses. The organization is urging that his sentence be commuted to a term of imprisonment.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bin Abdallah received a mandatory death sentence in 2010 for trafficking approximately 57 grams of diamorphine. Several appeals, including arguments citing his intellectual disabilities, as well as a clemency petition, have been denied. If the execution proceeds, it will be the third execution for drug offenses in Singapore this month.

The UN’s statement highlights that the application of the death penalty for drug-related crimes does not align with international human rights law. There is accumulating evidence questioning the efficacy of capital punishment as a deterrent. The organization urges Singaporean authorities to reconsider their stance on the death penalty, reflecting a global trend towards its abolishment.