Republic of Singapore
Head of state: Tony Tan Keng Yam
Head of government: Lee Hsien Loong

Human rights defenders and small opposition parties called for broader human rights change through public gatherings, online activities and constitutional challenges. The People's Action Party remained in power for a sixth decade.

Death penalty

The execution of one death row prisoner was stayed in March, but Singapore broke its three-year moratorium on executions in July when two men were hanged – a mandatory death sentence had been imposed under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) prior to the November 2012 amendments abolishing some instances in which murder and drug trafficking carry a mandatory death penalty.

Commutations of death sentences to life imprisonment with 15 strokes of the cane continued, following the November 2012 legislative amendments. Some of those whose sentences were commuted had been judged as having "diminished responsibility" and others had aided anti-drug trafficking efforts and obtained "certificates of cooperation".

In July, parliament amended the Radiation Protection Act to allow for the imposition of the death penalty for nuclear-related offences with an intent to harm and that cause fatalities. There were no nuclear facilities in Singapore.

Torture and other ill-treatment

Caning remained a penalty for various offences, including immigration violations, vandalism and as an alternative (with life imprisonment) to the death penalty. In August, Yong Vui Kong, whose death sentence had been commuted to life imprisonment and caning, challenged his penalty of 15 strokes on the grounds that the Constitution prohibited torture. The Court of Appeal judgment was pending at the end of the year, but the Attorney-General took the position that caning did not amount to torture and that torture is not prohibited by the Constitution.

Freedom of expression

Opposition activists, former prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders expressed concerns about the shrinking space for public discussion of issues such as freedom of expression, the death penalty, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights, labour rights, poverty and inadequate living standards.

The government persisted in using defamation suits against critics. In May the Prime Minister sued blogger Roy Ngerng Yi Leng for defamation after Ngerng was alleged to have accused the Prime Minister of "criminal misappropriation" of public retirement funds in his blog. Despite a retraction and a public apology, as well as an offer of damages, the Prime Minister called for a summary judgment on the case in July. Ngerng was dismissed from his job with a public hospital in June. In view of financially ruinous outcomes from previous suits against critics, Ngerng turned to crowdfunding to finance his legal defence.

Detention without trial

Around 12 suspected Islamist militants remained held without trial under the Internal Security Act.

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