The United Nations defines drug trafficking as a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. It is no longer news that countries across the world have declared war against drug trafficking within their borders. While some countries have mandated long prison sentences for offenders, others have even gone further to sign a death sentence for anyone caught trafficking drugs.
According to Harm Reduction International (HRI), 34 countries still retained the death penalty for drug-related offences. At least, 467 executions for drug offences were confirmed in five countries, marking a 44 per cent worldwide increase from 2022 and comprising 42 per cent of the worldwide execution total.
In Nigeria, the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 made the importing and distribution of hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, death-eligible offences. The bill was passed in the Senate and is now awaiting approval by the House of Representatives.
Let us take a look at those top five countries you may get killed for trafficking drugs.
Iran
Iran is not new to public executions and drug offences are up there on the list of offences that can get someone executed. The country already has a reputation for its harsh punishments, which many human rights organisations call “sham sentencing” against convicted people. According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), 63 persons have been executed on drug-related charges from April 17 to May 15, 2024.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia remains one of the top countries with harsh punishments for drug trafficking. The Middle Eastern country, which hosts the Islamic holy city of Mecca and is known for its conservative ways, has made it very clear that the sale of hard drugs shall not be tolerated.
On May 11, 2024, Saudi Arabia executed Syrian nationals, Emad Mahmoud Hussein and Mustafa Mahmoud Hussein after they were convicted of smuggling banned amphetamine pills.
China
China has the second-best economy in the world, behind the United States of America. Yet, the country has constantly been accused of human rights violations. If you are caught with banned drugs in China, you could be forced to attend a drug rehab in a facility run by the government, that is, if you are lucky.
Extreme drug-related cases are often punished with the death penalty. For instance, two Filipinos were executed in China for drug trafficking in December 2023, despite pleas from the Philippine government to commute their death sentence to life in prison.
Kuwait
Drug trafficking is part of the long list of capital crimes under civilian law in Kuwait. According to Gulf News, 12 drug dealers were handed a death sentence in the country in 2023 after they were convicted of smuggling or trading illicit drugs.
These capital sentences were the result of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking which reportedly led to a monthly death sentence for drug dealers in the same year.
Singapore
Getting caught selling drugs in Singapore can earn you a death sentence. Despite heavy criticisms from Human Rights Advocates, the country continues to execute those convicted of drug-related charges.
For instance, 16 persons were executed in March 2022 for offences ranging from low to mid-level offenders convicted of trafficking amounts of drugs that would probably get relatively milder punishments in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
On July 28, 2023, a Singaporean national, Saridewi Djamani, became the first known woman to be executed in Singapore since 2004. She was found guilty of possession of around 30 grams of diamorphine (heroin) for trafficking.
Djamani was sentenced in 2018 alongside a Singaporean Malay man, Mohd Aziz bin Hussain.
Conclusion
Drug trafficking is a serious crime that can incur a death sentence in some countries. Although there are calls for capital punishment to be abolished in its entirety, these countries have refused to heed the calls so far in a bid to combat drug trafficking within their borders.
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