Although death row prisoners are cut off from the outside world in many ways, many still try to keep up with what’s happening through reading the papers and family visits. The news of anti-death penalty protests in Hong Lim Park in April has made its way to those on death row. In this letter addressed to his sister, Syed reflects on recent events. During their visit, he told his sister that he would like to express his appreciation for everyone who showed up in Hong Lim Park last month to stand in solidarity with death row prisoners.
Read the reflections of Syed’s sister, Sharifah, at https://transformativejusticecollective.org/2021/03/03/my-brother-syed/.
Dear Sharmila,
How are you and the family doing?! I hope all of you are in good health and keeping yourselves safe from the virus. In light of recent events, I feel that a few words from myself to the rest of the family is appropriate and reaches you in good time.
I just want to say thank you to every single one of you for the support, kindness and dedication that you have given me. We are living in strange times right now, where hate seems to be thriving in almost every corner of the world. And so it is like a breath of fresh air when I see that our family is still with me, accompanying me on this painful journey. Thank you for echoing my thoughts and feelings and of understanding that mercy and compassion, above all else, is what the world needs most right now.
The harshness and cruelty that some have claimed is just, is not. Two wrongs do not make a right. In the end, there is only a legacy of bloodshed that posterity may not even want on their hands anymore.
Once more, please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the good the family is doing. I shall never forget this kindness and compassion that have been extended to me, for that, I remain humble.
Yours truly,
Syed Suhail B. Syed Zin
Transformative Justice Collective 