Malaysia: one year since repeal of mandatory death penalty, violations of international law and standards continue despite overall decrease in death sentences

During the first year since the death penalty became fully discretionary in Malaysia, Amnesty International recorded a significant decrease in the number of death sentences imposed and upheld by the courts. However, Malaysia’s use of the death penalty and its alternative punishments continue to violate international human rights law and standards. Amnesty International renews its call on the authorities to indefinitely extend the official moratorium on executions; and initiate legislative amendments to reform the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 to remove the death penalty and legal presumptions of guilt that can be relied on by the state to reach a conviction.

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