Singapore’s Criminal Justice System Under Fire: Death Penalty, Freedom of Expression, and Assembly Concerns Persist

======================================================

Singapore’s criminal justice system has been under intense scrutiny in recent years, with international human rights organizations urging the government to rethink its approach to capital punishment, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly.

The Death Penalty: A Growing Concern

Since March 2022, Singapore has executed 16 people for drug-related offenses, including the first woman in almost two decades. In April, Tagaraju Suppia was put to death for his involvement in cannabis trafficking, prompting the United Nations human rights office to call for the execution to be halted.

“The use of the death penalty is not an effective deterrent against drug-related crimes and can perpetuate a cycle of violence,” said Ravina Shamdasani, a UN spokesperson.

Freedom of Expression Under Threat

Civil society activists and independent media practitioners have faced harassment, intimidation, and persecution in the lead-up to presidential elections in September. The government has used its powers under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to silence critics, forcing them to post “corrections” deemed acceptable by authorities.

• The Online Citizen chief editor Terry Xu was targeted for publishing an article that made allegations against the police.
• Asia Sentinel’s website was blocked in Singapore after it refused to publish a POFMA notice.
• In July, the government enacted the Online Criminal Harms Act, which grants sweeping powers to restrict and remove online content on broad grounds.

Women’s Rights: Limited Legal Protections

Women and girls in Singapore continue to face sexual and gender-based violence, with limited legal protections for pregnant employees and pervasive workplace discrimination. While the government has taken steps to improve labor rights, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will translate into tangible improvements for women’s rights.

Freedom of Assembly: Restricted Rights

Freedom of assembly is also restricted in Singapore, requiring police permits for any “cause-related” gathering held in a public place or private venue. The Public Order Act provides authorities with broad powers to reject permit applications if they deem the assembly “directed towards a political end.”

• Human rights defenders have been targeted by the government under the guise of protecting its judicial system.
• In January, UN special rapporteur Mary Lawlor expressed deep concern about the suppression and intimidation faced by Kirsten Han and Rocky Howe for their advocacy opposing the death penalty in Singapore.

Calls for Reform

As Singapore moves forward with its criminal justice system reforms, it remains to be seen whether the government will heed international calls to adopt more progressive policies and respect human rights. Until then, concerns about capital punishment, freedom of expression, and assembly continue to persist.

• “The government is using its powers to silence critics and undermine the rule of law,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International.
• Ravi Madasamy, a human rights defender, had his law license suspended by the Singaporean High Court in March, citing his sharp criticisms of the government’s approach to capital punishment.