On Friday, Singapore executed 55-year-old Rosman Abdullah for drug trafficking, according to the city-state’s narcotics enforcement agency. This marks the third execution in a week, as the United Nations renewed its call for a moratorium on the death penalty.

The UN and human rights organizations argue that capital punishment lacks evidence of a deterrent effect and should be abolished. However, Singaporean officials defend its use, claiming it has contributed to making the country one of the safest in Asia.

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) stated that Abdullah was convicted for trafficking 57.43 grams (2.03 ounces) of heroin. Under Singapore’s stringent drug laws, the death penalty is mandated for trafficking more than 15 grams of drugs.

This execution follows the hanging of two men on November 15: a 39-year-old Malaysian and a 53-year-old Singaporean, both convicted for drug trafficking.

“Rosman was given full due process, including representation by legal counsel,” the CNB said in a statement.

Abdullah, sentenced in 2010, had exhausted all appeals, including a request for clemency from the president. His execution was the eighth this year in Singapore, seven of which were for drug trafficking and one for murder.

Since resuming executions in March 2022, after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore has executed 24 individuals, according to an AFP count.

On Thursday, the UN reiterated its call for Singapore to reconsider its stance on capital punishment. UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the death penalty for drug-related offenses is incompatible with international human rights law, citing growing evidence of its ineffectiveness as a deterrent.

However, the CNB defended capital punishment, stating it is reserved for the most serious crimes, such as large-scale drug trafficking, which it argues causes significant harm to both individuals and society.