Malaysia: DPRU research featured in news article on women on death row

On 21 September 2021, Southeast Asian media outlet New Naratif published a news article on the socio-economic circumstances of women on death row in Malaysia, featuring recent research published by DPRU research student Lucy Harry.

The article, by lawyer Ngeow Chow Ying, focused on death sentences imposed for drug trafficking under the country's Dangerous Drugs Act, which make up the majority (73%) of capital convictions. It drew on Lucy Harry's January 2021 journal article on the role of economic factors in the experiences of women facing the death penalty in Malaysia, many of whom are involved in precarious work.

Providing the case study of a female client currently detained on death row, the author outlined how a background of economic insecurity had contributed to the individual's forced involvement in drug trafficking. Due to Malaysia's mandatory imposition of the death penalty for drug trafficking, however, circumstances such as these cannot be considered by courts during the sentencing process.

The news article is available to read on the New Naratif website here. 

Lucy Harry's research paper, published in Issue 10(1) of the Laws journal, can be accessed here.