MARCH 17, 1995, will be remembered as a day of shame for Singapore. Flor Contemplacion, a 42-year-old mother of four children was hanged on this day, while huge protests mounted in the Philippines and elsewhere, demanding a review of the verdict against her on the basis of new evidence pointing to a frame-up.
A witness also came forward stating that Flor Contemplacion was tortured in prison to force a confession. At the time of her execution, the world had reason to doubt whether she was, in fact, guilty of double murder. Any country which has a viable legal system would not have allowed such a hanging before all the new evidence was examined fairly and impartially. (Just a few weeks back, Pakistan courts acquitted two persons convicted under the Blasphemy Law, showing that their legal system was well equipped to deal with a complicated situation.) There was no justification for the indecent haste with which this hanging has been carried out.
The architect of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, has repeatedly claimed that the Asian values by which the nation of Singapore is guided, are superior to the Western concept of human rights. The case of Flor Contemplacion exposed the falseness of this claim. Her execution was a barbaric act, done in broad daylight. However, to observers of Singapore's political and legal system, it came as no surprise. The arrest and prolonged detention of over 21 Singaporeans under the charge of attempt to overthrow the government is well known.
There was no evidence of any sort against them. They were all released later without being charged. However, the government did not apologise and paid no compensation.
It is also a day of shame for the government of the Philippines which was slow and indecisive. Perhaps it felt Singapore investments were more important than the life of a domestic helper. One witness claimed she informed the Philippines Embassy in Singapore quite early on about what she knew of the attempts to frame Flor Contemplacion.
There should be a thorough investigation into this affair.