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        On the Heavier Side >> Government & Politics >> Do you think this is a just decision?
        
(Message started by: Jimbo on Dec 1^st, 2005, 5:39pm)

Title: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by Jimbo on Dec 1^st, 2005, 5:39pm

Dec 1, 8:53 AM (ET)

By GILLIAN WONG

SINGAPORE (AP) - The family of an Australian man convicted of drug trafficking visited him Thursday, hours before his scheduled execution, and Singapore's prime minister ruled out a reprieve. Nguyen Tuong Van is scheduled to hang early Friday (Thursday evening EST) at the maximum-security Changi Prison.

Nguyen, 25, received a mandatory death sentence after he was caught in 2002 at Singapore's airport on his way home to Melbourne carrying about 14 ounces of heroin.

Singapore refused repeated pleas from Australian leaders for clemency for Nguyen, saying the sentence must be carried out because drug trafficking is a serious offense that ruins lives.

In Berlin, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the execution would go ahead as planned.

"We have stated our position clearly," Lee said in answer to a question after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "The penalty is death."

Nguyen's mother, Kim, and twin brother, Nguyen Khoa, entered the jail on Thursday afternoon for a final visit. A friend, Kelly Ng, also was there.

"We've just had a beautiful last visit. It was a great visit and quite uplifting," said Lex Lasry, another of Nguyen's lawyers. He brushed away tears as he spoke to the media.

Lasry has criticized Singapore's mandatory death penalty for some drugs cases and attacked the clemency appeal process as lacking transparency.

"The president has in the past commuted the death penalty," Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry said in an e-mailed statement.

"Every petition that is submitted to the president is different and each and every one of them are carefully considered, based on its merits, taking into account all relevant factors," the statement said.

Earlier Thursday, Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock called the planned execution "a most unfortunate, barbaric act that is occurring."

Asked about the comment in Berlin, Lee would only say that "the Australian press is colorful."

Lee emphasized that all factors, including Australian letters for clemency, had been "taken into account" but said that "the law will have to take its course."

According to local media, Singapore has granted clemency to six inmates on death row - all Singaporeans - since independence in 1965.

"He is completely rehabilitated, completely reformed, completely focused on doing what is good and now they are going to kill him," said Julian McMahon, one of Nguyen's Australian lawyers.

Hundreds of people held a candlelight vigil outside Australia's Parliament House in the capital of Canberra on Wednesday to show support for Nguyen. More supporters planned to rally in Sydney at the appointed time of Nguyen's execution.

Australia scrapped the death penalty in 1973 and hanged its last criminal in 1967, while Singapore has executed more than 100 people for drug-related offenses since 1999.

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by Jimbo on Dec 2^nd, 2005, 5:12am

???To late now, they hanged him :'(
Dec 1, 8:43 PM (ET)

By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA

SINGAPORE (AP) - Singapore executed a 25-year-old Australian on Friday for drug trafficking, after he had a "beautiful last visit" with his family. Australia's leader protested the sentence, saying it would damage ties.

Nguyen Tuong Van was hanged before dawn as a dozen friends and supporters, dressed in black, kept an overnight vigil outside the maximum-security prison. His twin brother, Nguyen Khoa, was dressed in white.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Nguyen's execution would damage relations between the two countries.

"I have told the prime minister of Singapore that I believe it will have an effect on the relationship on a people-to-people, population-to-population basis," Howard told Melbourne radio station 3AW shortly before Singapore confirmed it carried out the execution.

But Howard added that Australia would not take diplomatic action against the city-state.

"The government itself is not going to take punitive measures against the government of Singapore," he said.

Vigils were held in cities around Australia, with bells and gongs sounding 25 times at the hour of Nguyen's execution.

"The sentence was carried out this morning at Changi Prison," the Home Affairs Ministry said in an e-mailed statement.

Nguyen received a mandatory death sentence after he was caught in 2002 at Singapore's airport on his way home to Melbourne carrying about 14 ounces of heroin.

Singapore has executed more than 100 people for drug-related offenses since 1999, saying its tough laws and penalties are an effective deterrent against a crime that ruins lives. By contrast, Australia scrapped the death penalty in 1973 and hanged its last criminal in 1967.

While Australian leaders lashed out at the death sentence as "barbaric" and pleaded for clemency for Nguyen, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had ruled out a reprieve.

"We have stated our position clearly," Lee told reporters in Berlin on Thursday after meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. "The penalty is death."

Nguyen visited with his mother, Kim, twin brother, Nguyen Khoa, a friend and his lawyers Thursday afternoon.

Julian McMahon, one of his Australian lawyers, said Nguyen was "completely rehabilitated, completely reformed, completely focused on doing what is good and now they are going to kill him."

Another lawyer, Lex Lasry, said the family had a "beautiful last visit."

"It was a great visit and quite uplifting," he said, brushing away tears.

McMahon said Nguyen's mother had been allowed to hold her son's hand and touch his face in her last visit.

"That was a great comfort to her," McMahon said.

But Howard slammed Singapore's refusal to allow Nguyen's mother to give him a final hug this week.

"The clinical response of the Singaporean authorities to the final requests of the man's mother to embrace her son - I was particularly disappointed with that response; very disappointed," Howard said.

Lasry has criticized Singapore's mandatory death penalty for some drugs cases and attacked the clemency appeal process as lacking transparency.

But Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry said in an e-mail statement that every petition for clemency is carefully considered by the president, "taking into account all relevant factors."

"The president has in the past commuted the death penalty," the statement said.

According to local media, Singapore has granted clemency to six inmates on death row - all Singaporeans - since independence in 1965.

Earlier Thursday, Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock called the planned execution "a most unfortunate, barbaric act that is occurring."

Asked about the comment in Berlin, Lee would only say that "the Australian press is colorful." Lee emphasized that all factors, including Australian letters for clemency, had been "taken into account" but said "the law will have to take its course."

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by nelson3082000 on Dec 2^nd, 2005, 7:24am

Jimbo i cant tell ya how disgusted i am with wnat happened this morning at 9 am australian local time, this guy which i agree was guilty of drug smuggling an amount of 440 grams on his way home to australia and this was his first offense by the way with no other issues or convictions in his 25 year old life was hanged.I am amzed that this still goes on in society still and why is there not others around the world heavily protesting that this be stopped.Singapore is not the only country still implemneting this kind of justice to the population around the world. This has really damaged our relations with the singaporean paople now and it is to be seen what actions will be taken in the future, threw boycotss of anything form singapore as alot of news broadcasts and papers are stating. :-[ :-[ :-[

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by Wicked_Witch on Dec 5^th, 2005, 5:43am

Guys...is this the same person Nelson has going at the "Blabber" section of the forum?
I am really sorry at the loss of his family but there is no one else to blame and you can't blame the singaporian government. He should have known first hand the risk he has taken when he agreed to be a "courrier". Now let that be a lesson to whoever is fool enough to take their chances on drugs. DRUGS are fatally DANGEROUS to a person's life and health. SAY NO TO DRUGS!!!

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by nelson3082000 on Dec 9^th, 2005, 3:10pm

yes exactly witchy i agree with u say no to drugs i want that message to be loud and clear as well.
but my arguement was about the death penalty for first time crimes, this guy was hung for a offense but this was his first time crime at anything in his life, i thought the aim is to reabilitate people not kill them.i thought this was called the justice system we have goin in all countries but i must be wrong there.

Second point check the figures for drug crime in that country it hasnt imporved at all they just smuggle it better and at a greater amount check the net it teels all.

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by Wicked_Witch on Dec 14^th, 2005, 12:56am

on 12/09/05 at 15:10:45, nelson3082000 wrote:

Nelson, that person is not a USER, he's a courrier and it's a heavier offense. I have already replied to this at the Blabber section. And yes, it's true that there are still a lot out there committing this crime even as we were talking. They prosecute those that they were able to get their hands on. The lucky ones get away, I guess your fellow countryman has ran his luck out. My condolence. But I still believe it is a JUST decision.

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by kim on Mar 1^st, 2006, 11:05am

I'm getting confused.. If the two are the same person then i think i've stated my position on the other thread...

BUt if it is two diff person.... With the conviction in Singapore... That is their law. I think the guy was well aware of the law before he even attempted to break it. Singapore is very strict when it comes to the law... It doesnt matter what race you are you'll still be punushed if you break the law. Thats how they maintain order.

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by Wicked_Witch on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 2:49am

Yes it is, Kim. I think from now on we should confine political topics and news at the Current Events section of the Forum to avoid confusions or to the Government and Politics section depending on the nature of the events. If it's about natural calamities or disasters, let's open the topic at the Current Events, if it's about politics and government issues, let's use the other thread for these.

Title: Re: Do you think this is a just decision?
Post by kim on Mar 2^nd, 2006, 7:55am

exactly ;)