Committee on the Rights of the Child

Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 8, paragraph 1, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict

Reports of States parties due in 2009

Singapore *

[13 December 2011]

Contents

Paragraphs Page

I.Introduction1-33

II.General measures of implementation4-93

III.Prevention10-174

IV.Prohibition and related matters18-256

V.Protection, recovery and reintegration26-288

VI.International assistance and cooperation29-309

Annexes

I.Application form – voluntary early enlistment scheme10

II.Extracts of relevant legislation13

I.Introduction

Singapore signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict on 7 September 2000. Singapore ratified the Optional Protocol on 11 December 2008 and it came into force for Singapore on 11 January 2009.

This report constitutes the initial report by Singapore as required under article 8, paragraph 1, of the Optional Protocol. It covers the period from the ratification of the Optional Protocol in 2008 to 2010.

This report follows the guidelines in the Revised Guidelines regarding Initial Reports to be Submitted by State Parties under article 8, paragraph 1, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on involvement of children in armed conflict (CRC/C/OPAC/2), dated September 2007.

II.General measures of implementation

This report was prepared with inputs from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Law (MINLAW) and the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC). These agencies are part of the Inter-Ministry Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (IMC-CRC) which is responsible for coordinating and overseeing implementation by Singaporeof the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As part of our commitment to working in the best interests of children, Singapore ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict on 11 December 2008. The Optional Protocol entered into force for Singapore on 11 January 2009.

It must be noted that treaties and conventions do not automatically become part of the laws of Singapore. To implement a treaty or convention in Singapore, Parliament first has to pass legislation implementing that treaty or convention. Singapore implements our obligations under the Optional Protocol through domestic legislation, of which two key ones are the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) (Volunteers) Regulations (Cap. 295, Reg. 7) and the Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg. 1). Amendments were made to regulation 14 of the Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg. 1) and regulation 4 of the SAF (Volunteers) Regulations (Cap. 295, Reg. 7) in July 2008 to align ourselves with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Any person who claims that his rights under the Optional Protocol have been violated may invoke before the Singapore Courts the relevant provision in the legislation implementing the Optional Protocol.

Singapore ratified the Optional Protocol without entering any reservations. Article 3, paragraph 2, requires State parties to deposit a binding declaration upon ratification of or accession to the Optional Protocol that sets forth the minimum age at which voluntary recruitment into the national armed forces is permitted. Pursuant to article 3, paragraph 2, of the Optional Protocol, Singapore declared that the minimum age at which persons may be voluntarily enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is 16 years and 6 months. Information on the minimum age of voluntary recruitment may be found under Section II, Prevention. Voluntary enlistment of persons below the age of 18 years but above 16 years and 6 months is permitted, but with safeguards in place.

The IMC-CRC is the main mechanism for ensuring and monitoring the implementation of the Convention and the Optional Protocol in Singapore. It functions as a platform for mutual exchange of information and fosters dialogue amongst members in the consideration of the welfare and the best interests of children in Singapore.

This initial report will be made available to the public on the website (www.mcys.gov.sg) together with information on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The obligations of the Optional Protocolare disseminated to the relevant enlistment departments of MINDEF and the SAF. SAF personnel who are to participate in international peacekeeping missions are required to undergo pre-deployment training that includes training on human rights, Law of Armed Conflict and Rules of Engagement to ensure that our personnel conduct themselves responsibly during their mission.

Since its independence in 1965, Singapore has not experienced any instance of armed conflict. There have been no instances of children recruited and used in hostilities by armed groups, or in demobilisation and reintegration programmes. There have also been no instances of children charged with war crimes. There are no child victims of practices prohibited by the Optional Protocolamong refugee and asylum-seeking children.

III.Prevention

Article 1 – Direct participation in hostilities

States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that members of their armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.

Under the Enlistment Act (Cap. 93), all male Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents are required to serve National Service (NS) upon reaching 18 years of age, which is the minimum age for compulsory enlistment into the SAF. There are no legal provisions to enable the age of conscription to be lowered in exceptional circumstances. All potential enlistees, when they are due for enlistment, are individually notified to register their enlistment into the SAF. Potential enlistees receive an enlistment notice about two months prior to their enlistment date containing information on the specific date, time and location for them to report for their first day of national service. National identification records are used to verify the age of potential enlistees prior to their acceptance into compulsory military service. All Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents are required to register for their Identity Cards (ICs) within one year of attaining the age of 15 years. The IC serves as the national identification record. Potential enlistees are then required to undergo medical examinations and physical proficiency tests to assess their level of health and fitness, which are factors in determining the assignment of their vocations and length of their national service.

Article 2 – Forced or compulsory recruitment

States Parties shall ensure that persons who have not attained the age of 18 years are not compulsorily recruited into their armed forces.

NS-liable males who have reached 16 years and 6 months of age and who wish to enlist for full-time NS early may apply to do so as a volunteer under the SAF (Volunteers) Regulations (Cap. 295, Reg. 7) through the Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme (VEES). The conditions of voluntary enlistment are spelt out in the Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme Application Form (See annexI). Current application procedures for individuals under the age of 18 require the written consent of a parent or legal guardian of the potential enlistee. An interview will be conducted with the potential enlistee, together with his parent/legal guardian, to explain and ensure that they fully understand the conditions of voluntary enlistment.

Individuals under 18 years of age who wish to be enlisted on a voluntary basis will be put through comprehensive medical examinations, aptitude assessments and physical proficiency tests to ascertain their ability to cope with full-time military training. Only those who are certified fit through these examinations are allowed to be enlisted. Each application will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Central Manpower Base within MINDEF.

For compulsory enlistment, the minimum age for registration is set at 16 years and 6 months to allow for sufficient time to carry out the administrative procedures required of fit-to-serve male Singaporeans upon their reaching 18 years of age. These administrative procedures involve the documentation process of the pre-enlistees’ personal details, arrangements for them to perform pre-enlistment medical screening, as well as the various aptitude tests.

Volunteers will serve the same period of full-time NS as per other Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) who are enlisted on or after 18 years of age. The period of volunteer service under VEES will cease on the day the person turns 18 years of age and will count towards fulfilment of full-time NS, provided that the person does not terminate his volunteer service prematurely. Like any other full-time NSF, volunteers will be subject to laws and acts, including orders and directives issued by the SAF.

An individual who has entered National Service under voluntary enlistment may request for early release from volunteer service upon giving 3 months’ notice in writing. Such information is available online for those under 18 years of age who wish to apply for voluntary enlistment.

There are no incentives for encouraging volunteer enlistment in the SAF. Individuals below 18 years of age and who opt to be enlisted on a voluntary basis receive equal treatment as with those who report for compulsory military service upon reaching 18 years of age. There are no academic or vocational schools operated by the SAF in Singapore. All enlistees will first come in as recruits for Basic Military Training, after which they will then be posted for further training. Those enlisted on a voluntary basis will serve in various vocations, including administrative assistants or logistics support personnel, and they will not take a direct part in hostilities. Pre-enlistees can also learn more about national service from the IPrepNS website.

Article 6 – National implementation

(2) States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the present Protocol widely known and promoted by appropriate means, to adults and children alike.

The amendments by Singaporeto its Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg. 1) and SAF (Volunteers) Regulations (Cap. 295, Reg. 7) to implement our obligations under the Optional Protocol(details of the amendments made to these Regulations are provided in paragraph 16) were published on the Government Gazette on 7 July 2008. In addition, Singapore announced our ratification of the Optional Protocolthrough a media release, which comprised information regarding the obligations of the Optional Protocolon 6 January 2009. Information on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child can be found on the website (www.mcys.gov.sg). In schools, the importance of social cohesion and racial harmony is emphasised through the commemoration of Racial Harmony Day on 21 July annually.  Racial Harmony Day is meant to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of maintaining harmony in our multiracial society.  Awareness and understanding of the importance of racial harmony in our multiracial community are also incorporated in various curriculum subjects, including History, Social Studies and Civics and Moral Education (CME). Programmes, such as Learning Journeys (LJ) and Community Involvement Programmes (CIP), further promote inter-racial interaction and increase students’ awareness of multiracialism as a core tenet of the identity of Singapore. For individuals who are going to be enlisted for NS, engagement initiatives like SAF camp visits and dialogue sessions with senior SAF officers are also organised as part of the efforts to prepare them for enlistment.

IV.Prohibition and related matters

Singapore implements domestic legislation and regulations covering and defining the acts enumerated in articles 1 and 2 of the Optional Protocol(See annexII for extracts of relevant legislation):

(i)Under Section 10(1) of the Enlistment Act (Cap. 93, 2001 Rev. Ed.), only persons 18 years of age and above are required to report for enlistment for national service. The opening proviso of Section 10(1) relates to provisions concerning fitness for service (Section 7), postponement (Section 28) and exemption (Section 29).

(ii)Regulation 4 of the SAF (Volunteers) Regulations (Cap. 295, Reg. 7) prohibits any person below 18 years of age applying for enlistment as a volunteer from taking a direct part in hostilities until he has attained the age of 18 years.

(iii)Regulation 14 of the Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg. 1) permits any person below the age of 18 years but not below the age of 16 years and 6 months to apply to be enlisted in regular service in special cases. The safeguard under regulation 14 is that such an enlisted person shall not be permitted to take a direct part in hostilities until he has attained the age of 18 years. 

Recruitment of persons below the age of 16 years and 6 months into regular service and permitting enlistees below 18 years of age to take a direct part in hostilities are offences under regulation 40 of the Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg.1). The punishment for such offences is a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. There is no statute of limitations for these offences. Attempts to commit these offences or abetment of the commission of these offences may also be dealt with by relying on Section 511 and Section 109 of the Penal Code.

Article 4 – Non-governmental actors

(1) Armed groups that are distinct from the armed forces of a State should not, under any circumstances, recruit or use in hostilities persons under the age of 18 years.

(2) States Parties shall take all feasible measures to prevent such recruitment and use, including the adoption of legal measures necessary to prohibit and criminali z e such practices.

There are no armed groups distinct from the SAF that are operating in Singapore. Section 5(1) of the Internal Security Act (Cap. 143) prohibits quasi-military organisations. The penalty for members who are organised, trained or equipped to usurp the functions of the police or the SAF or who are organised, trained, or equipped for the use or display of physical force in promoting any political or other object is a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.

Singapore is a party to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and has enacted the Geneva Conventions Act (Cap. 117) to implement the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Convention (IV) relating to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War contains provisions for the protection of children in armed conflict. The SAF complies with the principle to prevent attacks on civilian objects, including places that generally have a significant presence of children such as schools and hospitals. Section 3(1) of the Geneva Conventions Act (Cap. 117) provides for the establishment of extraterritorial jurisdiction over grave breaches of international humanitarian law under the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 that Singapore is party to. Singapore may exercise her jurisdiction over child recruitment as a war crime as it constitutes a grave breach under article 147 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Under article 147 of the said Convention, “compelling a protected person to serve in the forces of a hostile power” amounts to a grave breach of the said Convention. This provision applies to both adults and children alike. Pursuant to the Geneva Conventions Act, the relevant provisions are enforceable against persons subject to military law where the offence or part of the offence is alleged to have been committed outside Singapore territory.

Singapore remains committed to eradicating child labour and has ratified two International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions, Nos. 138 (1973) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

The private security industry in Singaporecomprises Auxiliary Police Officers employed by the Auxiliary Police Forces, and unarmed security officers employed by private security agencies. While officers employed by the Auxiliary Police Forces may bear arms, the Auxiliary Police General Directive, issued under Section 89(3) of the Police Force Act (Cap. 235), stipulates that a person has to be at least 18 years of age before he can be appointed as an Auxiliary Police Officer. Approval from the Singapore Police Force’s Security Industry Regulatory Department (SIRD) must also be obtained before an individual can be appointed as an Auxiliary Police Officer. Employment of an Auxiliary Police Officer below 18 years old of age and/or without prior approval is an offence under Section 92 of the Police Force Act, and the responsible persons are liable to a maximum fine of $1,000 or to an imprisonment term not exceeding 3 months or both. Similarly, the SIRD regulates the employment of unarmed security officers by private security agencies. Sections 14 & 16 of the Private Security Industry Act (Cap. 250A) make it an offence for anyone to work as a private security officer without a licence.

A request for extradition by another State Party to the Optional Protocolwould be considered under the domestic extradition regime. This regime permits extradition for the offences listed in the First Schedule of the Extradition Act (Cap. 103) to a Commonwealth country, or to a country with which Singapore has an extradition treaty. Singapore is also able to provide mutual legal assistance in respect of criminal matters in accordance with the provisions of the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (Cap. 190A) and any applicable Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to which Singapore is a party.

V.Protection, recovery and reintegration

Article 6 – National implementation

(3) States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons within their jurisdiction recruited or used in hostilities contrary to the present Protocol are demobili z ed or otherwise released from service. States Parties shall, when necessary, accord to such persons all appropriate assistance for their physical and psychological recovery and their social integration.

In relation to article 6(3) of the Optional Protocolon the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of armed conflicts, Singapore has not been involved in any armed conflict since its independence in 1965. In the event that there are any incidents of children who are victims of armed conflicts, torture, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation, the child protection system and provisions for protecting children will be extended to such victims. The Children and Young Persons Act (Cap. 38) is the key legislation providing for the welfare, care and protection of children and young persons. Such protections extend to all children, regardless of nationality. The child protection system in Singaporeis built on strong legislative protections against abuse and neglect, robust service delivery and management of cases of abuse, training and education of community partners. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is the lead agency on child protection and works closely with government agencies and non-government agencies to ensure timely interventions, services and programmes for children who may be victims of exploitation or abuse.

The Subordinate Courts administers the Vulnerable Witness Support Programme in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the Singapore Police Force to provide support to vulnerable witnesses who are required to give their evidence in criminal cases in court. A vulnerable witness is a person who is 16 years of age and below, or with a mental capacity of under 16 years of age, and is required by the Police or Public Prosecutor to give evidence in criminal cases in court. This programme allows a Volunteer Support Person (VSP) to give the witness, their parents or caregivers information on the court procedures and provide social and emotional support. Training is also given to police officers, professionals and partners working with children on child sensitive practices.

Measures taken by Singapore to ensure that the child’s identity is protected in accordance with article 16 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child have been set out at paragraphs 155 to 157 of the second and third periodic reports of Singaporeto the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC/C/SGP/2-3). Professionals such as social workers, psychologists and medical workers working with children safeguard the privacy of their clients as part of ethical practice and codes of conduct. The law protects the identity of a child who is undergoing court proceedings from being broadcasted or published to maintain the child’s privacy and prevent media exposure and stigmatisation of victims. Under Section 35(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Cap. 38), the publication or broadcasting of information relating to court proceedings that may lead to the identification of the child or young person concerned in the proceedings is prohibited. In addition, Section 27A also prohibits the publication or broadcast of information that leads to the investigation of any child or young person who is subject to an investigation under the Act.

VI.International assistance and cooperation

Article 7 – International Cooperation and Assistance

(1) States p arties shall cooperate in the implementation of the present Protocol, including in the prevention of any activity contrary thereto and in the rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons who are victims of acts contrary thereto, including through technical cooperation and financial assistance. Such assistance and cooperation will be undertaken in consultation with the States parties concerned and the relevant international organi z ations.

Singapore is supportive of international efforts to end armed conflict and remains committed to protecting children from all forms of exploitation. Singapore has also supported the “Rights of Child” resolution and “The Right to Education in Emergency Situations” resolution in the United Nations General Assembly. Singapore has been contributing US$50,000 annually to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) since 1998. Singapore also works with UNICEF on joint training programmes and conferences to promote the development and protection of children. Apart from its international commitments, Singapore is also involved in the work of regional organisations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and has appointed a representative for children to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC).

In the context of arms exports, Singapore takes our obligations to impose United Nations sanctions underUnited Nations Security Council resolutions seriously. While there is no national legislation that specifically prohibits the trade and export of small and light arms as well as military assistance to countries where children may be involved in armed conflict, the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations (Cap. 272A, Reg. 1) allows bans to be put in place for ensuring compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Annexes

Annex I

Application form – voluntary early enlistment scheme

Terms and conditions

Under the Enlistment Act, all male Singaporeans and Permanent Residents are liable to serve National Service (NS) upon reaching 18 years of age. NS-liable males who reached 16½ years old and wish to enlist for full-time NS early may apply to do so as a volunteer under the SAF (Volunteers) Regulations through the Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme (VEES).

Persons who volunteer to enlist early under VEES will be put through medical fitness examination, aptitude assessment and physical proficiency test to ascertain whether they are able to cope with military training. Each application will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Central Manpower Base.

Volunteers will serve the same period of full-time NS like other Full-Time National Servicemen (NSFs) who are enlisted on or after 18 years old. The period of volunteer service under VEES will cease on the day the person turns 18 years old. The period of volunteer service will count towards fulfilment of full-time NS on a 1:1 basis, provided he does not terminate his volunteer service prematurely.

Volunteer may choose to be prematurely released from volunteer service on giving 3 months’ notice in writing to his unit. If the volunteer is prematurely released from service, the period of volunteer service will not count towards the discharge of NS liability.

Volunteers will be subject to laws and acts, including orders and directives issued by the Singapore Armed Forces like any other NSFs. Their eligibility for NS allowance, annual leave, medical benefits and other benefits will be the same as those accorded to NSFs.

Persons who are enlisted under VEES will not be eligible for disruption from full-time NS to pursue further studies. This applies both to university studies as well as studies of up to the first education bar (e.g. GCE ‘A’ level, Polytechnic diploma and equivalent qualifications). Those who seek to pursue further studies after their full-time NS should note that this may have an impact on their intended academic plans.

Persons who would like to apply for VEES should complete this application form, print out both pages, and post it to the following address:

Central Manpower Base

3 Depot Road

#02-09

Singapore 109680

Applicants should note that those who are accepted for VEES will be scheduled for enlistment in the next available intake, subject to availability of training capacity. Applicants should expect a wait of at least 6 months from the point of application or completion of their studies or return from overseas (for those who complete their studies overseas), whichever is later, to the date of enlistment.

Application form - voluntary early enlistment scheme

1.I, _________________________________________________, would like to

(NRIC & Name)

apply to enlist as a full-time volunteer under the SAF (Volunteers) Regulations through the Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme (VEES). The reason for my application is as follows:

2.I have read and understood the enclosed information and the terms & conditions of VEES.

[Applicants should retain a copy of the terms & conditions for their own reference.]

___________________________________________________SignatureDate

PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF APPLICANT

Telephone No.: _____________________(H) ___________________________(HP)

Email: _____________________________________________________________

Name / Location of Last Institute of Study:

__________________________________/_______________________________________________

Parental consent

I, _____________________________________________________________, the

(NRIC & Name)

parent/guardian* of

_______________________________________________________________ give

(NRIC & Name)

my consent for him to enlist as a full-time volunteer under the Voluntary Early Enlistment Scheme .

2.I have read and understood the enclosed information and the terms & conditions of VEES.

[Applicants should retain a copy of the terms & conditions for their own reference.]

___________________________________________________

Signature Date

* To delete accordingly.

Annex II

Extracts of relevant legislation

Enlistment Act (Cap. 93, 2001 Rev. Ed.)

Duty to report for enlistment

10. —

(1)Subject to the provisions of this Act, the proper authority may by notice require a person subject to this Act not below the age of 18 years to report for enlistment for national service.

(2)A person required to report for enlistment for national service shall report to the proper authority on such date and at such time and place as may be specified in the notice and shall attend from day to day until duly enlisted.

(3)Enlistment for national service shall be in the manner approved by the proper authority.

(4)No duty of any kind shall be imposed on a person required to report for enlistment or service unless he is found fit for service.

Enlistment Regulations (Cap. 93, Reg. 1)

Applicants

14. —

(1)The proper authority may, in special cases, permit any person below the age of 18 years but not below the age of 16 years and 6 months to apply to be enlisted in regular service.

(2)Consent to the application shall be given in writing by the parent or guardian of that person.

(3)A person who is enlisted under paragraph (1) shall not be permitted to take a direct part in hostilities until he has attained the age of 18 years.

Offences

40. Any person who fails to comply with any provision of these Regulations shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction:

(a)in the case of failure to comply with regulation 27, to a fine not exceeding $2,000; and

(b)in any other case, to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Singaporearmed forces (volunteers) regulations (Cap. 295 Reg. 7)

Eligibility for enlistment as volunteer

4.—

(1)Every citizen or permanent resident of Singapore who is not less than 16 years and 6 months of age shall, subject to the provisions of these Regulations, be eligible for enlistment as a volunteer. 

(2)No national serviceman, regular serviceman or operationally ready national serviceman shall be enlisted as a volunteer, except that an operationally ready national serviceman may be enlisted as a volunteer with the permission of the proper authority. 

(3)Where any person applying for enlistment as a volunteer is below the age of 18 years

(a)consent to the application shall be given in writing by the parent or guardian of that person; and

(b)that person shall not be permitted to take a direct part in hostilities until he has attained the age of 18 years.

(4)For the purpose of this regulation, the age of a person applying for enlistment as a volunteer shall be determined in accordance with section 31 of the Enlistment Act (Cap. 93). 

Penal Code (Cap. 224)

Punishment for attempting to commit offences

511. —

(1)Subject to subsection (2), whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Code or by any other written law with imprisonment or fine or with a combination of such punishments, or attempts to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence, shall, where no express provision is made by this Code or by such other written law, as the case may be, for the punishment of such attempt, be punished with such punishment as is provided for the offence. [51/2007]

(2)The longest term of imprisonment that may be imposed under subsection (1) shall not exceed —

(a)15 years where such attempt is in relation to an offence punishable with imprisonment for life; or

(b)one-half of the longest term provided for the offence in any other case.

Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment

109. Whoever abets any offence shall, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, and no express provision is made by this Code for the punishment of such abetment, be punished with the punishment provided for the offence.

Explanatio:—An act or offence is said to be committed in consequence of abetment, when it is committed in consequence of the instigation, or in pursuance of the conspiracy, or with the aid which constitutes the abetment.

Internal Security Act (Cap. 143)

Prohibition of quasi-military organisations

5. —

(1)If the members or adherents of any association of persons, whether incorporated or not, are:

(a)organised or trained or equipped for the purpose of enabling them to be employed in usurping the functions of the police or of the Singapore Armed Forces; or

(b)organised or trained or equipped either for the purpose of enabling them to be employed for the use or display of physical force in promoting any political or other object, or in such a manner as to arouse reasonable apprehension that they are organised or trained or equipped for that purpose, then any member or adherent of such association shall be guilty of an offence under this Part and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both; and any person who promotes or conspires with another to promote, or who takes part in the control or management of, the association, or in so organising or training as aforesaid any member or adherent thereof, shall be guilty of an offence under this Part and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both:

Provided that in any proceedings against any person charged with the offence of taking part in the control or management of such an association as aforesaid it shall be a defence to that charge to prove that he neither consented to nor connived at the organisation, training or equipment of any member or adherent of the association in contravention of this section.

Geneva Conventions Act (Cap. 117)

Grave breaches of scheduled Conventions.

3. —

(1)Any person, whatever his citizenship or nationality, who, whether in or outside Singapore, commits, aids, abets or procures the commission by any other person of any such grave breach of any scheduled Convention as is referred to in the following Articles respectively of those Conventions:

(a)Article 50 of the Convention set out in the First Schedule;

(b)Article 51 of the Convention set out in the Second Schedule;

(c)Article 130 of the Convention set out in the Third Schedule; or

(d)Article 147 of the Convention set out in the Fourth Schedule,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction:

(i)in the case of such a grave breach involving the wilful killing of a person protected by the Convention in question, to imprisonment for life;

(ii)in the case of any other such grave breach, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years.

Children and Young Persons Act (Cap. 38)

Restriction on publication of information leading to identification of child or young person who is subject of investigation, etc.

27A —

(1)No person shall, without the Director’s approval, publish or broadcast any information that identifies, or is likely to lead to the identification of any child or young person as a child or young person —

(a)who has been or is the subject of any investigation under this Act;

(b)who has been taken into care or custody by the Director, a protector or a police officer under this Act; or

(c)who is the subject of an order made by a court under this Act.

(2)If any information or picture is published or broadcast in contravention of subsection 1:

(a) in the case of the publication of any information or picture as part of a newspaper or periodical publication, every proprietor, editor, publisher or distributor thereof;

(b) in the case of the publication of any information or picture otherwise than as part of a newspaper or periodical publication, the person who publishes or distributes it; or

(c) in the case of the broadcast of any information or picture, every person who transmits or provides the programme in which the information or picture is broadcast and every person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of the editor of a newspaper or periodical publication, shall jointly be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.

(3)  In this section, “broadcast” and “publish” have the same meanings as in section 35(5).

Restriction on publication of information relating to proceedings involving children and young persons

35. —

(1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall —

(a) publish or broadcast any information relating to any proceedings in any court or on appeal from any court that reveals the name, address or school or that includes any particulars that are calculated to lead to the identification of any child or young person concerned in the proceedings, either as being the person against or in respect of whom the proceedings are taken or as being a witness therein; or

(b)publish or broadcast any picture as being or including a picture of any child or young person so concerned in any such proceedings.

Police Force Act (Cap. 235)

Codes of practice and directives

89. —

(1)The Commissioner may, by publication in the Gazette, issue one or more codes of practice for Auxiliary Police Forces for all or any of the following purposes:

(a)to enable and maintain fair market conduct between Auxiliary Police Forces in Singapore;

(b)to safeguard the interests of consumers of Auxiliary Police Forces services and of the public generally.

(2)A code of practice may, in particular:

(a)specify the duties and obligations of the employer of an Auxiliary Police Force in relation to its business operations in the armed security industry; and

(b)provide for such fees or charges as may be payable to the Commissioner in relation to any application or request made to it.

(3)The Commissioner may issue any directive to any employer of an Auxiliary Police Force for all or any of the following purposes:

(a)to ensure the continuity, reliability and security of the provision of security activities and other services by the Auxiliary Police Force;

(b)in the interests of public safety;

(c)to provide guidance in relation to the operation of any provision of this Part or the Auxiliary Police Forces Regulations;

(d)generally for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Part and for the due administration thereof.

(4)The Commissioner may, from time to time —

(a)by publication in the Gazette, add to, vary or revoke any code of practice; or

(b)add to, vary or revoke any directive.

(5)The Commissioner may exempt, either generally or subject to such terms or conditions as the Commissioner may specify, any person from any provision in any code of practice or any directive.

Private Security Industry Act (Cap. 251)

No person to be security officer without security officer’s licence

14. —

(1)No person shall:

(a)carry out for reward any function of a security officer; or

(b)advertise, or in any way hold out, that the person carries out or is willing to carry out for reward any function of a security officer, except under and in accordance with a security officer’s licence granted under this Act.

(2)Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

Employees who are security officers

16. —

(1)No person shall employ another person as a security officer unless the other person is a licensed security officer.

(2)Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.

(3)A person (whether or not a licensed security agency) who employs, or is about to employ, as a security officer any person who is a licensed security officer shall:

(a)before employing the licensed security officer; and

(b)not later than 14 days after terminating the employment of the licensed security officer, inform the licensing officer in the prescribed form and manner of the proposed employment or termination of employment, as the case may be.

(4)Where an employer or a former employer of a licensed security officer contravenes subsection (3), the employer or former employer, as the case may be, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.