Downer must do more

Save Nguyen Tuong Van - He now faces execution, possibly within 10 days

The Network Against Prohibition (NAP) has hit out at claims made by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer that the Australian Government has “done everything we can to plead for his life.”

25-year-old Melbourne man, Nguyen Tuong Van was arrested in December 2002 attempting to smuggle heroin through Singapore.

He told police he was smuggling the drugs to help pay off a debt owed by his twin brother.

Despite his cooperation with the Singapore and Australian police, Singapore's President Sellapan Ramanathan last week rejected Nguyen Tuong Van’s call for clemency. Nguyen is looking at execution within a fortnight.

Unless a last-minute reprieve is granted, he will become the first Australian to be executed overseas since 1993.

NAP spokesperson Gary Meyerhoff said: “There is much more that can be done to bargain for Nguyen’s life.

“We should immediately break all ties with the Singapore military and stop training RSIAF pilots at the Pearce RAAF base in Western Australia.

“Our navy should give Singapore a wide berth until further notice.

“Surely the life of this young Australian is more important than a few joint military training exercises.”

According to Tim Goodwin, the spokesman for the Australian chapter of Amnesty International, Singapore has a shocking record.

More than 420 people have been executed there since 1991.

Mr Goodwin said: “With a population of just over four million, it has the highest execution rate in the world.”

For more information and links on Nguyen’s case click here.

To arrange an interview with a NAP member, email us at hq (at) napnt.org or contact Gary Meyerhoff on 0415 16 2525 (+61 415 16 2525 from overseas) and/or contact Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on one of the following numbers:

Ministerial Office 02 6277 7500 (+61 2 6277 7500 from overseas)

Adelaide Office 08 8237 7150 (+61 8 8237 7150 from overseas)

Electorate Office 08 8370 9288 (+61 8 8370 9288 from overseas)

or email him at this address: minister.downer@dfat.gov.au

More links:

Amnesty International Australia on the decision to execute Nguyen

Singabloodypore on the decision to refuse clemency

The Think Centre on the decision to refuse clemency