MALAYSIA: ASIAN CONFERENCE ON DEATH PENALTY

June 8, 2015: Death penalty and drugs is the main topic to be discussed at the Regional Congress organized by Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) and by the Asian Network against the Death Penalty (ADPAN) in the capital of Malaysia on June 11 and 12 in collaboration with the Bar Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian human Rights Commission. It is a relatively unknown and yet fundamental theme in the abolitionist struggle in Southeast Asia.
33 states and territories in their legislation provide for death penalties for drug trafficking, but very few apply it.
"Only 5-6 states practice executions or even mass executions for drug trafficking, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and Vietnam, which are the hard core," says Rick Lines, director of Harm Reduction International (HRI).
It is a minority, but an active minority, responsible for at least "1,000 executions every year for drug trafficking," according to the expert.