Amnesty International urgently called on Singapore to stop the impending execution of Malaysian citizen Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, scheduled for October 8, 2025. Pranthaman, who has been on death row since 2017, was convicted for carrying 51.84 grams of diamorphine into Singapore, a quantity that triggered the mandatory death penalty under local laws.

The case has garnered international criticism, with claims of "multiple layers of unfairness" and violations of international law standards, particularly concerning mandatory death sentences for drug offenses. Amnesty International has highlighted these issues as indicative of broader systemic failings within the Singaporean justice system.

Pranthaman's plight reached a wider audience through heartfelt advocacy by his sister, who penned an essay expressing her deep admiration for her brother and his untapped potential to contribute positively to society. She also founded an NGO aimed at reforming the Singaporean justice system, moving away from punitive measures and addressing the root causes of drug trafficking.

Legal experts and human rights organizations argue that the case involves significant breaches of the right to a fair trial and the right to life as stipulated by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite fulfilling the criteria of having merely transported the drugs, Pranthaman was denied a certificate of cooperation with law enforcement, which would have spared him from the death penalty. This decision, criticized for its lack of transparency and arbitrariness, effectively places the burden of sentencing in the hands of the prosecution.

This rigid legal framework has been condemned by global bodies like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which assert that the mandatory death penalty for drug-related offenses violates international legal standards. These standards reserve capital punishment for the "most serious crimes," typically involving intentional killing.

Singapore's use of the death penalty, particularly for drug offenses, stands in stark contrast to global trends. In 2024, it was one of only four countries confirmed to carry out such executions, even as the majority of the world moves away from capital punishment. Despite this, 2025 has seen a surge in executions worldwide, reaching levels not seen since 2015.

As Pranthaman's execution date draws near, the international community continues to watch closely, calling for a halt to what many see as an outdated and unjust practice. The debate intensifies over the balance between law enforcement and human rights, with a life hanging in the balance.