Singapore condemns call for ‘soft approach’ to drugs at UN meeting

On Wednesday, Singapore had a major condemnation regarding the widespread calls in making the fights for drug less punitive. The country argued that the 'soft approach' would lead only to a flood of narcotics in the island.

According to Reuters, using a major meeting at United Nations, Singapore blasted calls regarding their way of handling drugs in the state. Singapore is well known for punishing drug-related offenses at a grave status and penalties. However, European delegates railed their idea against executing people for drug infarctions.

Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law, KKasiviswanathan Shanmugam said "We believe that drugs will destroy our society. With 200 million people traveling through our borders every year, and given Singaporeans' purchasing power, a soft approach will mean our country will be washed over with drugs." 

Yahoo reported that Shanmugan was addressing the special three-day session of the 193-nation General Assembly called by countries of Columbia, Guatemala and Mexico to have a thorough discussion on the case for fighting illegal drugs. Notably, the Latin American countries have failed to eradicate the war on drugs. This also indicates as the first review of the issue since 1998. It was argued by Latin American countries and European delegates that Singapore with China, Thailand, Iran and Russia are the strongest opponents of the trend toward decriminalizing illegal substances like marijuana.

Asia One published that Danish Health Minister Sophie Lohde blasted the idea of executing people for drug offenses and complained a declaration regarding capital punishment for such cases. She said "The government of Denmark deeply regrets that the outcome document does not address the abolition of the death penalty for drug-related crimes." Her statement proved to be supported by European delegates.

Shanmugan has keenly defended Singapore's tough approach to drug war, saying it elicited far better results. He also disputed the claims of futile and harsh drug policies. He added that in 1990s, Singapore had arrested more than 6,000 drug users per year and this had dropped to a significant 3,000 annually. 

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Singapore, Latin America, Drug War, Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, General Assembly, United Nations, Soft Approach, UN Meeting, drug punishments, Soft Approach

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