Father Gregoire Van Giang will pray and walk with Nguyen from his cell to meet the hangman Nguyen Tuong Van will be hanged in Singapore Changi prison on Friday 2nd December 2005. Think Centre and concerned civil society groups are very disappointed and feel helpless. His mother will loss her dear son and we share her sorrow too. Think Centre calls on the government, members of parliament, to abandon the use of the death penalty.
Solidarity with Nguyen Think Centre calls all concern civil society groups and persons to accompany Nguyen Tuong Van on his journey - in solidarity with him and his family. In this painful moments, our consciences tell us to express our compassion, care and concern for a fellow human being in need. Let us all pray in silence for Nguyen and his family, gather together in vigils .. etc. Call for the mandatory death penalty to be remove and a moratorium on the death penalty. Today, its Van on the death row for a mistake which he deserves only a jail sentence NOT death by hanging. Tommorrow, it could be someone from your family!
"No international human rights tribunal anywhere in the world has ever found a mandatory death penalty regime compatible with international human rights norms"
"The Singapore government has to recognize that as a developed country it can no longer continue to impose mandatory death sentences"
Take Nguyen case to International Court of Justice
UN rights expert calls on Singapore not to execute convicted drug trafficker
Last appeal: International Court of Justice & Commonwealth Secretariat (CHOGM)
Letter sent to Kim Nguyen
Ministry of Home Affairs
Changi Prison Complex.
Dear Madam,
1. This is to inform you that the death sentence passed on Nguyen Tuong Van will be carried out on 2 Dec 2005.
2. We will arrange for additional visits from 29 Nov till 1 Dec 2005. Approved visitors may register for their visits between 8.30am and 9.30am and between 12.30pm and 1.30pm at the Prison Link Centre, Changi (990 Upper Changi Road North Singapore 506968).
3. You are requested to make the necessary funeral arrangements for him, however if you are unable to do so the state will assist in cremating the body.
Please do not hesitate to contact our officers in charge if you have any queries.
Yours Faithfully
Chiam Jia Fong
Superintendent
Institution A1, Cluster 1,
Singapore's Prison Service.
A letter from the Singapore government confirming the news was sent to Nguyen's mother. She would be allowed to visit Nguyen in the three days before he is hanged.
Think Centre and concerned civil society groups are very disappointed and feel helpless. His mother will loss her dear son and we share her sorrow too.
Nguyen is quietly challenging the death penalty to the very end and he does not deserve this cruel death sentence imposed on him.
More then 400 state sanctioned killing is enough. It does not serve the purpose.
There are many more on the death-row including those for non violent drug possession and murder. Some are waiting for the President's Clemency.
The death penalty, like torture and slavery in the past, should be reject by all and has no place in a civilized society.
Many Singaporean's feel Nguyen should been given a chance.Those implementing the laws here seem to be in a rush to win the cases and close their files. Can we close our eyes and turn our cheeks away when more then 400 persons have suffered death under "state sanctioned killing."
How do we explain to our children that if they make a mistake there is no second chance? What values are we teaching our children? Is that why an increasing number of children and adults are facing suicide instead of trying to find a solution to their problems?
The government here seems to be unnecessarily cruel without any mercy given to those who have make honest mistake. Why not give the person a second chance? This cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment has to go. The laws that permit such cruel punished has to be amended.
Think Centre calls on the government, members of parliament, to abandon the use of the death penalty.
Our judges and lawyers are independent. They should make recommendations to the government that their conscience as well as international human rights standards are calling for the abolition of the death penalty, but in the interim, call for a moratorium on the death penalty.
Our laws and policies should be based on International Human Rights Standards and human values. Out laws and policies should be just and fair to all, provide equal protection to all, with due respect to human dignity.
No more presumption of guilt for simple possession of drugs as trafficker and no more adminstrative death sentences.
Sources and Relevant Links:
The Age Nguyen seeks solace in martyr27 November 2005
GALLERY Nguyen Tuong Van
The Age Where there's life, there's hope: Hulls 24 November 2005
The Age Singapore activists plan last-ditch vigil 22 November 2005
SMH Only one exception to hanging: expert 22 November 2005
SMH Glimmer of hope for a dead man waiting 22 November 2005
The Law Council pleads for Nguyen's life 22 November 2005
ICJ International Court of Justice
News.com Take Nguyen case to International Court of Justice 21 November 2005
SMH Last appeal: International Court of Justice & Commonwealth Secretariat (CHOGM) 20 November 2005
SMH Stop this injustice. Let him live 19 November 2005
The Age Labor calls for Nguyen protest 20 November 2005
The Age Nguyen prepared for death 20 November 2005
The Australian Singapore to review death method 19 Nov 05
Seven News Singapore defends capital punishment 12 Nov 05
Think Centre UN rights expert calls on Singapore not to execute convicted drug trafficker 19 November 2005
SMH Nguyen Tuong Van to be told date 18 November 2005
The Age Lawyers to tell Nguyen of his fate 18 November 2005
SMH Lee apologises to PM over hanging 17 November 2005
The Age Papal appeal for Nguyen clemency fails 17 November 2005
The Australian Nguyen execution date set 17 November 2005
Think Centre Singapore: Indian migrant worker facing execution 20 June 2003
