Singapore defends death penalty decision

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Transcript
From abc.net.au
PM - Thursday, 27 October , 2005 18:10:22


Reporter: Peta Donald
MARK COLVIN: The slim chance of a reprieve for Van Nguyen, who faces death by hanging in Singapore, looks even slimmer tonight.

Singapore has made its first official comment since rejecting a plea for clemency last week, and it offers not even a smidgin of hope to the young man.

The 25-year-old former salesman from Melbourne was found in transit in Singapore with almost 400 grams of heroin strapped to his body.

Today's statement, from Singapore's High Commissioner in Canberra, said Singapore's death penalty for drug offences was well known and defended the decision to send Nguyen to the gallows.

In a moment we'll hear from Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, for his response, but first here's a report on today's development from Peta Donald in Canberra.

PETA DONALD: In Singapore executions are carried out on Fridays.

As he waits in a cell in Changi Prison, the condemned Australian Van Nguyen will take no comfort from today's statement from Singapore's High Commission in Canberra.

The High Commissioner Joseph Koh has issued a strong defence of the decision against granting clemency in this case.

JOSEPH KOH STATEMENT (read by actor): Our strict anti-drug laws send a clear message to drug syndicates not to conduct their criminal activities in Singapore or through Singapore. Our policy has been well-publicised and Mr Nguyen was well aware of it.

PETA DONALD: Mr Nguyen, the High Commissioner points out was caught with 396 grams of heroin, more than the 15 grams that attracts a mandatory death penalty in Singapore.

JOSEPH KOH STATEMENT (read by actor): I understand that this decision is difficult for his family to accept. But the stand the Government has taken on Mr Nguyen is consistent with the firm position that Singapore has taken on similar cases in the past, involving Singaporeans and foreigners alike. Not everyone may agree with our view, but I hope they will understand Singapore's position.

PETA DONALD: Nguyen's Melbourne-based barrister, Lex Lasry, QC, is still holding out hope.

LEX LASRY: We regard the statement as predictable. It's what I would expect the Singapore Government, through the High Commissioner would say, as at today.

I certainly don't see it as in anyway an end of the process. It's a statement, a diplomatic statement, as to their current attitude and we set out to change it.

PETA DONALD: It does seem like a fairly serious development for your client though, that doesn't leave very much room for hope.

LEX LASRY: Well, I don't agree with that.

I think we haven't yet had a chance to redevelop the argument that we've announced we're going to make.

We will make a further approach to the Singapore Government, directly to the President and possibly to the High Commissioner. Now we haven't done that yet, so the Singapore High Commission can't be expected to respond to that.

They have obviously had plenty of media inquiries and they've stated their position as at today, but that position can be changed and we do aim to change it.

PETA DONALD: Lex Lasry is planning to approach Singapore's Government in the next few days.

He says he's pleased with the political support being offered in Australia, but he's still calling for more.

LEX LASRY: What would make us happier and what would help considerably would be if the Prime Minister would make a clear statement that in his opinion our client should not be executed for the reasons that we've given now over a number of days.

I think the Singapore Government would be impressed that a man of the standing of our Prime Minister would be prepared to say that.

PETA DONALD: Have you had any indication from Mr Howard as to whether he'd be prepared to do that?

LEX LASRY: No we haven't, but I… as a human being, I'd ask him to. This is a man's life that's at stake, it's a life we want to save, it's a life that is valuable.

And I understand Mr Howard's opposition to capital punishment and I think it's time for someone of that seniority to speak directly about his feelings about it.

PETA DONALD: But whatever approaches are made, Singapore has a long history of withstanding pressure to save the lives of those it's decided to send to the gallows.

Professor Garry Rodan, the Director of the Asia Research Centre, at Murdoch University, says Singapore is unlikely to buckle.

He points to the case of Singaporean father of two executed earlier this year for a drug conviction, despite a public campaign in Singapore against it.

GARRY RODAN: It doesn't want to give encouragement to advocacy groups, such as those involved in the attempt to have the clemency awarded for the Singapore national who was facing execution. And any concession at all, even if it is in this case to pressure from outside, might be thought by the Singapore Government as a source of encouragement for advocacy groups in general.

MARK COLVIN: Professor Garry Rodan from Murdoch University with Peta Donald.