SINGAPORE. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON DEATH PENALTY

Think Centre, a Singapore civil rights group, called for a moratorium on executions after Australian national Nguyen Tuong Van lost his final clemency appeal. The group, campaigning for greater political freedoms in Singapore, said it was "disappointed" Nguyen would hang after President S.R. Nathan turned down the appeal for clemency. "Think Centre urges the president to call for a moratorium on death penalty and requests the Singapore government seek a more humane way to overcome the (drugs) problem," it said in a statement. It also called on "all concerned persons, groups and organisations to light candles and host vigils in the coming weekdays -- to remember those on death row".