The Embassy of Switzerland issues the following statement together with the Delegation of the European Union, the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States and the diplomatic mission of Norway Singapore:

The EU Delegation and the diplomatic missions of the EU Member States and of Norway and Switzerland deplore the execution of Ahmed Salim by the Singapore authorities on 28 February 2024.

We strongly oppose the use of capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances. The death penalty is incompatible with the inalienable right to life and a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. We advocate for Singapore to adopt a moratorium on all executions as a positive first step towards its abolition.

Today, more than two thirds of the countries of the world have become abolitionist in law or practice, which confirms a global trend in favour of the abolition of the death penalty. No evidence exists to show that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime and it is impossible to reverse in the case of errors. Moreover, rehabilitation as an objective of modern criminal law is rendered impossible by the application of capital punishment.

We will continue to actively work to further the universal trend towards the eradication of the death penalty.