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This News Service is posted by the
International Secretariat of Amnesty International,
1 Easton Street, London WC1X 8DJ
(Tel +44-71-413-5500, Fax +44-71-956-1157)
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News Service  55/96
AI INDEX: ASA 36/02/96
15 MARCH 1996


SINGAPORE : AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNS EXECUTION OF FIVE
THAI MIGRANT WORKERS

Amnesty International strongly condemned today~s execution of
five Thai nationals in Singapore and calls on the Singapore
Government to stop any further executions.

      ~We are dismayed that these executions went ahead
despite repeated appeals for the Singapore Government to
commute all death sentences to periods of imprisonment,~
Amnesty International said today.

      ~The death penalty is a violation of the most
fundamental of human rights --  the right to life -- and is
the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.~

      Thai migrant workers Prawit Yaowbutr, Manit Wangjaisuk,
Panya Marmontree, Prasong Bunsom and Panya Amphawa were
hanged at dawn after having been convicted of the murder of
two Indian workers in September 1993 and a Burmese worker in
November 1992. Singapore police stated that the men were part
of a gang that had staged robberies at a series of work-
sites.

      Appeals for clemency by Thai non-governmental groups
and representations by Thai officials failed to halt the
executions. Funds were raised in Thailand to enable the
families of the condemned men to visit Singapore but the
hangings took place before relatives of three of the men
arrived.

      The organization remains concerned that the death
penalty in often imposed on those with fewer resources for
their defence, or whose social or migrant status makes them
vulnerable to instances of unfair conviction. The risk of
executing the innocent is inescapable, yet the death penalty
is irrevocable.

      ~Executions are inherently unjust and arbitrary however
terrible the crime -- moreover there is no reliable evidence
that executions have a unique deterrent effect on criminals,~
Amnesty International said.

      The high rate of executions in Singapore is a serious
source of concern.  At least 121 people, including nine
Thais, have been executed since 1994, mostly for drugs-
related offences. There are fears that the total figure may
be significantly higher as many executions are not
publicised. While Singapore~s President has discretionary
powers to commute death sentences, he rarely exercises
clemency.

      ~The organization will continue to work for clemency
for people condemned to death all over the world, including
Thai migrant workers in Asia,~ Amnesty International said.
ENDS\

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