A LAWYERS group accused Singapore of unlawful interference after it warned a Malaysian lawyer representing death row inmates not to make allegedly scandalous claims about the city state and its  its legal system.

Singapore’s Attorney-General’s office issued the warning to lawyer N. Surendran, who had allegedly accused the republic of acting without regard  for international legal norms and decent world opinion.

Surendran is the lead Malaysian lawyer and instructing solicitor to Singaporean lawyers representing Pannir Selvam Pranthaman and two other Malaysians on death row.

In a statement this morning, Lawyers for Liberty director Melisa Sasidaran said the formal letter from the Singapore AG amounted to a serious threat against Surendran.

“Singapore is notorious for bringing contempt of court or criminal defamation charges against its critics,” Sasidaran said, pointing to British author Alan Shadrake who was prosecuted and jailed in 2011 for making remarks about the death penalty in Singapore. 

“The threat against Surendran is unlawful interference from Singapore in the death row prisoners’ right to counsel and legal assistance.”

Pannir, who is sentenced to death for a drug offence, was granted a last-minute reprieve by the Singapore Court of Appeal on 23 May 2019. His legal challenge against denial of clemency by the President is to be heard on July 19.

In a letter dated 12 July 2019, the Singapore Attorney-General’s Chambers accused Surendran of making “scandalous allegations against Singapore and its legal system, including accusing Singapore of acting in total disregard of international legal norms and decent world opinion”. 

Apart from Pannir, Surendran is also acting for several Malaysian “drug mules” on death row in Changi Prison, including Datchinamurthy Kataiah and Gobi Avedian. 

“By virtue of Article 9 of the Singapore Constitution, every person is entitled to a fair trial which includes the right to legal advice and representation. The threat against Surendran is hence in breach of Singapore’s own laws and Constitution,” Sasidaran said.

“It is a calculated attempt to sabotage Pannir’s legal team, as well as hindering legal assistance from Malaysia for the other Malaysian prisoners. 

“In doing so, Singapore is also in flagrant breach of international law and standards; the right to be provided legal assistance is enshrined in Article 14(3)(d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”

Sasidaran urged Singapore to urgently withdraw the baseless allegations and unwarranted threat against Surendran to enable the death row prisoners to seek legal recourse unimpeded.

She also urged Putrajaya to take up this matter with Singapore to ensure that Malaysians facing capital charges in the republic are not prejudiced or deprived of legal defence or assistance. – July 16, 2019.