Singapore: Penalties for refusing military service; alternatives to military service (2001-2003)

According to Section 33 of the Enlistment Act of Singapore, which was passed in 1970 and last amended in 2001,

any person within or outside Singapore who –

(a) fails to comply with any order or notice issued under this Act;

(b) fails to fulfil any liability imposed on him under this Act;

(c) fraudulently obtains or attempts to obtain postponement, release, discharge or exemption from any duty under this Act;

(d) does any act with the intention of unlawfully evading service;

(e) gives the proper authority or any person acting on his behalf false or misleading information; or

(f) aids, abets or counsels any other person to act in the manner laid down in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e),

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to both (Singapore 1 Aug. 1970).

Amnesty International's 2003 annual report covering events in Singapore in 2002, states that citizens of Singapore who refuse to participate in military service are given an initial 15-month sentence, followed by a 2-year sentence if they refuse to serve for a second time (2003). Moreover, subsequent refusals to serve in the military may result in additional sentences (AI 2003). The report also states that at least 27 Jehovah's Witnesses – whose religion proscribes "'taking up the sword'" (SCMP 31 Dec. 2001) – were incarcerated during 2002 for refusing military service (AI 2003). Another 24 Jehovah Witnesses were imprisoned in 2001 for refusing to serve (ibid. 2002).

While women are exempt from mandatory military service, men, upon the age of 18, are required to perform at least two years of military service (AFP 31 Oct. 2002; SCMP 31 Dec. 2001). Men who are considered "'operationally ready national servicemen'" must also participate in annual refresher courses until they reach 40 years of age (ibid.). According to the Ministry of Defence, exemption from the National Service is only granted to those who are certified as "medically and permanently unfit for military service" (Singapore 2000).

There are no alternative service options for conscientious objectors in Singapore (AI 2003; SCMP 31 Dec. 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 31 October 2002. "Malaysia Plans to Make National Service Compulsory." (Dialog)

Amnesty International (AI). 2003. "Singapore." Amnesty International Report 2003. [Accessed 15 Oct. 2003]
_____. 2002. "Singapore." Amnesty International Report 2002. [Accessed 15 Oct. 2003]

Singapore. 2000. Ministry of National Defence. "Exemption." [Accessed 15 Oct. 2003]
_____. 1 August 1970. Enlistment Act (Chapter 93). Part VII, Section 33. (Ministry of Defence) [Accessed 15 Oct. 2003]

South China Morning Post (SCMP) [Hong Kong]. 31 December 2001. Jake Llyod-Smith. "Jehovah's Witnesses Out of Step on Call-Up." [Accessed 15 Oct. 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

Dialog

IRB Databases

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Ministry of Defence, Singapore

ThinkCentre

War Resisters' International