^ that statistic is precisely the reason that Singapore is targeted so vigorously by many campaigners; they have the highest PER CAPITA execution rate of any nation in the world (see below). looking at isolated raw figures doesn't always tell the full story, i.e. different population size will naturally result in different overall number of prisoners executed.
instead of pooping on the parade, join in and give people some reasons or some impetus to extend their disdain with singapore over recent events to other nations that espouse capital punishment.
Reference:
A new report published by Amnesty International today (14 January 2004) reveals that Singapore has the highest per capita rate of executions in the world, and that the death penalty is disproportionately used against migrant workers, drug addicts and poorer people.
...Drug addicts are particularly vulnerable. Many have been hanged after being found in possession of relatively small quantities of drugs.
...Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act contains several clauses which conflict with the universally guaranteed right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and make a death sentence mandatory for at least 20 different drug-related offences. For example, any person found in possession of a key to anything containing controlled drugs is presumed guilty of possessing those drugs and, if the amount exceeds a specified amount, faces a mandatory death penalty for 'trafficking'.
Lesley Warner continued:
"Such provisions erode the right to a fair trial and increase the risk of executing the innocent. Moreover it is often the drug addicts or minor drug pushers who are hanged, while those who mastermind the crime of trafficking evade arrest and punishment."
three reasons justifying that which you have dubbed the "scapegoating" of singapore on this board:
1 - they target drug addicts, ie. people with a medical illness, and execute them for their 'crime', as well as other drug offenders that wouldn't even get life sentences in more progressive nations. singapore is a prime example of the war on drugs in its most psychotic and venomous embodiment - that makes it particularly relevant to us bluelighters.
2 - highest per capita rate of executions in the world (certainly in the western capitalist world) makes singapore a prime target; take out the biggest player and send a strong message to the others - although their highest rate may not entail the highest loss of human life, such a high rate of executions is a regressive tendency that stands in the way of global progress toward abolition of capital punishment, lead by the UN.
3 - Van Nguyen was a drug-related offender. many people (especially Bluelighters) would argue that not only is the death penalty vulgar in all circumstances, but that it is ESPECIALLY irrational when used to punish people who are involved with drugs for whatever reason.
further, refer to all other reasons mentioned by previous posters.
fuck, in summary, singapore DESERVES the heavy and pointed criticism. the fact that it is targeted like it is in this thread does not negate the violations of other countries that utilise capital punishment, so all in all, i only see positives arising from criticism directed specifically against singapore in this thread - i am sure that if you asked participants in this thread if they approved of state executions in countries other than singapore, they wouldn't go "yeah sure as long as it's not an aussie drug runner being killed no probs". focal discussion on a specific topic of interest will generally stimulate wider contemplation of the issue on a broader scale.
More reading:
According to the United Nations Secretary-General's quinquennial report on capital punishment, the highest per capita use of the death penalty is in Singapore, with a rate of 13.57 executions per one million population for the period of 1994 to 1999. The death penalty is meted out for what are considered the most serious of offences. Out of 138 persons sentenced in the period from 1999 to 2003, 110 were for drug-related offences, with the rest for murder and arms-related offences. Executions by hanging occur on Friday mornings in Changi prison, and are seldom publicized.
Source
Claiming that the death penalty has been effective in controlling the trade in illicit drugs, the Singapore authorities reported an overall decline in the number of drug abusers arrested between 1994 and 2001.(37) However, despite the use of the death penalty and high execution rates, drug addiction continues to be a problem, particularly among the poorly educated, impoverished, unemployed and young people from broken homes. According to the website of the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), a total of 3,393 drug abusers were arrested in 2002. The number of new drug abusers increased by 16% compared to the figures for 2001. The CNB announced that it had seized 63 kilograms of heroin and 34 kilograms of cannabis during 2002, and also reported a significant increase in the use of methamphetamine. This is despite the fact that the scope of the death penalty was increased in 1998 to introduce a mandatory death sentence for importing, exporting, or trafficking in more than 250 grams of the drug.
Those convicted of more minor drugs offences also face cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Persistent or so-called "hardcore" drug addicts who have been admitted more than twice to a drugs rehabilitation centre are treated as criminals and may be imprisoned for up to 13 years and sentenced to caning.
Amnesty International Report: "SINGAPORE - The death penalty: A hidden toll of executions" 15 January 2004