Singapore to relax 'harsh' death penalty for drug offenders in some cases

Singapore -  Singapore plans to amend its death penalty for drug traffickers, indicating a significant and surprise shift in the country's strict laws on drug-related crimes.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the proposed new law would give courts the discretion to sentence drug-related criminals to life  imprisonment, rather than death punishment.
 
Speaking in Singapore's parliament, Teo said the changes would apply to drug couriers rather than to those involved in the supply or distribution of drugs at higher levels.

The changes come after the Home Ministry carried out a yearlong review of the country's death penalty and the penalty for homicide.
 
Changes to the laws must be approved by Parliament before adoption.

Human rights groups, who have campaigned against the country's strict death penalty, said the announcement is unexpected, but a step in the right direction for Singapore.