21 November 2005
This morning, just before dawn, the
Government of Singapore executed Nguyen Tuong Van. Our hearts go out to
Van’s mother Kim, his twin brother Khoa and all his friends and family.
Today, we all weep for them.
Over the last month, more than 7,000 of you took the time to
personally write to Singapore’s Prime Minister to urge him to show
clemency to Van. Sadly, these pleas for compassion have been ignored.
The execution of Van achieves nothing. It is an assault on justice
and our common humanity. Van’s execution will not reverse the tragic
consequences of drug use, and will only spread the sad legacy of drugs.
Today, the best way to honour Van’s life is not for us to throw up
our hands in despair. Instead, we must extend our compassion to the
thousands of others around the world who sit on death row awaiting Van’s
fate.
Amnesty International has spent decades campaigning against the death
penalty all around the world. Their work has helped stop many
executions, and has helped to shift global public opinion away from this
barbaric practice.
Amnesty’s work relies on the active participation of hundreds of
thousands of people. Today, as Australians and as global citizens, GetUp
is asking you to join Amnesty International’s anti-Death Penalty
network.
Please visit Amnesty International’s anti death penalty network home page by clicking here.