新加坡拟修改死刑条例

Singapore is proposing changes to its mandatory¹ death penalty for drug trafficking and murder in some cases.

新加坡拟对某些情况下的毒品走私和谋杀所导致的强制死刑做出改变。

Under the proposed changes, the courts will have discretion²（自由裁量权） in the sentencing of low-level drug couriers who co-operate with police.

In murder cases, the mandatory death penalty will only apply when there is an intention to kill.

Executions have been suspended since July 2011 as part of a year-long review.

The legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of the year and death row convicts would be able to seek resentencing.

The courts will have the discretion to either sentence the offender³ to death or life imprisonment⁴ with caning⁵, instead of the mandatory death penalty, when ''two specific, tightly-defined conditions are met'', said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.

The two conditions are that the offender is only a courier（导游，情报员） and is not involved in the supply or distribution of drugs, and if the offender co-operates with authorities, or is mentally disabled.

However, the mandatory death penalty will continue to apply in most cases, particularly for those who manufacture or traffic in drugs and those who fund, organise⁶ or abet⁷（煽动） drug trafficking, said Mr Teo, who is also home affairs minister.

In homicide cases, the mandatory death penalty will only apply in cases where there is an intention to kill, Law Minister K Shanmugam told parliament.