Vietnam Confirms Execution Method for Margaret Nduta, Convicted of Drug Trafficking
Margaret Nduta, a 37-year-old Kenyan woman, has been sentenced to death in Vietnam for drug smuggling. She was found guilty of transporting drugs into the country in July 2023.
Despite Kenya’s diplomatic efforts to intervene, experts like Mwangi Maina, the founding director of Kenyan Foreign Policy, believe that saving Nduta is unlikely.
Maina explained that Vietnam has a very strict legal system regarding drug smuggling. He said that appeals from other countries are rarely successful.
He also stated that even though Kenya has asked Vietnam to halt the execution, the chances of a positive outcome are almost non-existent.
The expert noted that unlike some other nations, Vietnam does not usually consider diplomatic pressure in cases involving capital punishment.
If the diplomatic efforts fail, Nduta will be executed at 8:30 PM on Sunday, March 16th.
Vietnam previously used firing squads for executions. However, in 2011, they shifted to lethal injections after the Law on Execution of Criminal Judgements was passed.
According to Law Net, lethal injection is considered a more humane method of execution and is used by many countries.
The process is governed by Decree 82/2011/ND-CP and Decree 47/2013/ND-CP, which amends the former.
Advocates for Human Rights reports that Vietnam uses three drugs during the execution: one to induce unconsciousness, one to paralyze the motor system, and one to stop the heart.
The execution officer follows three steps:
First, they inject the drug to induce unconsciousness, after locating a suitable vein.
Second, they inject the drug that paralyzes the motor system, after confirming the convict is unconscious. If the convict is not unconscious, they inject more of the first drug.
Third, they inject the drug that stops the heart.
If the convict is not dead after ten minutes, the officer reports to the Execution Council Chairman, who may order a backup dose.
Once a forensic doctor confirms the death, the officer removes the needle and tubes.
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Vietnam Confirms Execution Method for Margaret Nduta, Convicted of Drug Trafficking
