DeathLaw - Singapore

One of the biggest death penalty cases out there right now is in Singapore. An Australian citizen, Van Tuong Nguyen, tried to smuggle heroin into Singapore. As was driven home to the U.S. in 1994, Singapore punishes severely and is not dissuaded when foreign governments try to intervene on behalf of their citizens. Nguyen was caught and sentenced to death.

Although efforts are still being made to persuade Singapore to choose a different path, Australia "has ruled out an appeal to the International Court of Justice, believing that would fail." Some are basically writing it all off to "when in Rome . . ." The Catholic Bishops from Australia have written Singapore's Prime Minister to ask for clemency. And opposition members are blaming the fact that the Australian will be killed on the fact that Singapore isn't a democracy (because, as we all know, democracy was the reason we got rid of it here in the States).

And, finally, the situation has cost Singapore's hangman his job. Australian press reports ran pictures revealing who he was and the government removed him. He regrets the fact he will no longer be earning his $400 per execution.