In 2015, ASEAN coined the goal “the drug free world”. Unfortunately, as of right now that goal appears to be unattainable. Despite the harsh measures and restrictions imposed on citizens, drug trafficking more rampant than ever.
In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected President of the Philippines and proceeded to use police raids, vigilante killings, and prison-like detention centers to execute suspected narcotic users and traffickers.
While this might appear to be quite radical, under their criminal justice system, Malaysia and Indonesia also execute all drug offenders. This zero-tolerance policy has caused ripples throughout all ASEAN member states.
After the resolution passed during the annual summit in 2016, many nations have begun implementing such policies in as a desperate attempt to curb drug trafficking.
However, it should also be noted there are some countries such as Laos that actually believe the death penalty is too harsh of a punishment; instead, they gravitate towards rehabilitation and life sentences. There are also a handful of countries that think exceptions should be made on a case to case basis. While Indonesia supports the death penalty, they believe that the “pregnant and mentally ill” should be excused if they receive a sentence.
Burma thinks that only in extreme cases should the death penalty be an option; the Burma representative suggested that “it should be established that a certain quantity of drugs should qualify you for the death penalty”.
Instead of having a black and white solution, if governments could deal with individual cases accordingly it would probably be more effective. Since Portugal implemented this into their drug laws in 2001, drug related deaths have decreased.
ASEAN has set the goal of eradicating all drug businesses by 2020; however, it should be noted that this is a deadline that has already been pushed back in the past.
In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected President of the Philippines and proceeded to use police raids, vigilante killings, and prison-like detention centers to execute suspected narcotic users and traffickers.
While this might appear to be quite radical, under their criminal justice system, Malaysia and Indonesia also execute all drug offenders. This zero-tolerance policy has caused ripples throughout all ASEAN member states.
After the resolution passed during the annual summit in 2016, many nations have begun implementing such policies in as a desperate attempt to curb drug trafficking.
However, it should also be noted there are some countries such as Laos that actually believe the death penalty is too harsh of a punishment; instead, they gravitate towards rehabilitation and life sentences. There are also a handful of countries that think exceptions should be made on a case to case basis. While Indonesia supports the death penalty, they believe that the “pregnant and mentally ill” should be excused if they receive a sentence.
Burma thinks that only in extreme cases should the death penalty be an option; the Burma representative suggested that “it should be established that a certain quantity of drugs should qualify you for the death penalty”.
Instead of having a black and white solution, if governments could deal with individual cases accordingly it would probably be more effective. Since Portugal implemented this into their drug laws in 2001, drug related deaths have decreased.
ASEAN has set the goal of eradicating all drug businesses by 2020; however, it should be noted that this is a deadline that has already been pushed back in the past.