SG Government

General Information

The Singapore Government act to portray a rather unique opinion in the grand scheme of death penalty perspectives globally. Influenced by British Colonization, the Singaporean judicial system has always supported the death penalty, implementing a no-nonsense process, that, despite its receival of widespread criticism and a seemingly precarious standpoint, has led to general support of the penalty throughout Singapore itself and continues to keep Singapore a relatively drug-free, and crime-free country. It prides itself on the embodiment of strict standards for condemnation, little to no appeal time after such condemnation, and a base of firm unchanging decisions and consistent values within its system. Singapore’s government has, in the past, made strong cases against those who question their ways, and has remained adamant no matter the circumstance of criticism that they receive about their ways with the death penalty.

Alignment With My Claim/Stance

Though it may not seem 100% in tune with my ideas, the ways of the Singapore government, in fact, mostly embody what I believe should be the goal of many countries who wish to implement the Death Penalty into their justice systems. To make it clear, my claim is not based on anything moral or related to justice, but rather it’s related to the great suffering faced by those on death row due to the lack of establishment of a proper clear and supportive system for those involved. Therefore, Singapore’s refined system does a wonderful job of embodying such an image for an improved death penalty. Based on accounts from both prisoners and their families, one of the greatest challenges faced in the US is the lack of clarity and speed within the system-something that Singapore’s consistent, unchanging, and efficient system might help to change. It’s one flaw is in the fact that I don’t completely know how supportive it is of prisoners on the rows, something that could sway it’s alignment.

Key Quotes/Standpoints

“The Singapore government states that the death penalty is only used in the most serious of crimes, sending, they say, a strong message to potential offenders.”

"…the death penalty is primarily a criminal justice issue, and therefore is a question for the sovereign jurisdiction of each country […] the right to life is not the only right, and […] it is the duty of societies and governments to decide how to balance competing rights against each other."

“Public debate in the Singaporean news media on the death penalty is almost non-existent,"