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OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #0405/01 0590805
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 280805Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2543
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2439
RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 SINGAPORE 000405 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS AID, STATE FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, PRM, AND 
EAP/RSP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KRFD ASEC PREF ELAB SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (TIP) REPORT 
SUBMISSION (PART 2 OF 3) 
 
REF: A. SINGAPORE 401 
     ¶B. STATE 202745 
 
¶1. (U) This is the second of three messages relaying Embassy 
Singapore's 2007 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 
submission. 
 
¶2. (U) Continue text of submission: 
 
III.  INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS 
 
-- A. Does the country have a law specifically prohibiting 
trafficking in persons--both for sexual and non-sexual 
purposes (e.g. forced labor)?  If so, please specifically 
cite the name of the law and its date of enactment.  Does the 
law(s) cover both internal and external (transnational) forms 
of trafficking? If not, under what other laws can traffickers 
be prosecuted?  For example, are there laws against slavery 
or the exploitation of prostitution by means of force, fraud 
or coercion?   Are these other laws being used in trafficking 
cases?  Are these laws, taken together, adequate to cover the 
full scope of trafficking in persons?  Please provide a full 
inventory of trafficking laws, including non-criminal 
statutes that allow for civil penalties against alleged 
trafficking crimes, (e.g., civil forfeiture laws and laws 
against illegal debt). 
 
Singapore has a law specifically prohibiting trafficking 
(Women's Charter section 141) as well as several other 
related laws.  Combined, these statutes criminalize all forms 
of trafficking in persons as defined by the U.N. Protocol to 
Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons and the 
U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act.  Many defendants are 
prosecutable for more than one offense under the laws 
described below; for persons convicted of more than two 
crimes, consecutive sentences are mandatory.  Laws pertaining 
to trafficking offenses include: 
 
Forced or coerced prostitution: In Singapore, it is illegal 
to use force or deceit to compel a person to go from any 
place for the purpose of wrongful confinement, slavery, 
illicit intercourse or prostitution; the punishment is up to 
10 years in prison, a fine, and caning (Penal Code 362-368). 
Procuring, trafficking, or bringing a woman or girl in or out 
of Singapore (for any reason other than a legal marriage or 
adoption) is illegal and punishable by up to five years in 
prison and a SGD 10,000 fine (Women's Charter 141). 
Receiving or harboring any woman or girl, if a person has 
reason to know she has been procured for prostitution, is 
illegal; the punishment is up to 5 years in prison and a SGD 
10,000 fine (Women's Charter 140).  Facilitating or abetting 
the prostitution of any woman or girl is illegal; the 
punishment is up to five years in prison and a SGD 10,000 
fine (Women's Charter 140).  If the girl is under 16, the 
offender faces an additional charge carrying a punishment of 
3 years in prison and a SGD 2,000 fine (Women's Charter 145). 
 Managing or assisting in the management of a place of 
assignation is illegal; being a tenant, lessee, occupier or 
otherwise in charge of a place used as a brothel is illegal; 
these crimes carry a penalty of up to five years in prison 
and a SGD 10,000 fine (Women's Charter 147-148).  It is 
illegal to compel a person to do anything they are not 
legally bound to do through threats against them or any 
person they have an interest in; the punishment is up to 
seven years in prison and a fine (Penal Code 503-506). 
Aiding the commission of any of the above offenses (even if 
they take place abroad), through act or omission, is illegal 
(Penal Code 107-109), meaning that harboring, transporting, 
and detaining a person who is recruited/forced/coerced into 
prostitution is illegal, as is facilitating child sex 
tourism, and the punishments are the same as for the actual 
crime.  Persons found guilty of involvement in any offense 
related to prostitution (for example, operating a place of 
assignation) can be required to forfeit or vacate any 
property found to be, in whole or in part, purchased with the 
proceeds of their crime. 
 
Prostitution of minors: Singapore prohibits the unlawful 
transfer, possession, custody or control of children and the 
importation of children by false pretenses; both offenses are 
punishable by up to four years in prison (Children and Young 
Persons Act 12).  In addition, it is an offense for a person 
to commit or abet procuring any obscene or indecent act with 
a child or young person (under 14 and 16 respectively); the 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  002 OF 007 
 
 
penalty is a prison term of up to two years and/or a fine of 
SGD 5,000, which are both doubled for a second and subsequent 
offense (Children and Young Persons Act 7).  It is illegal to 
buy, sell, hire, let for hire, or otherwise obtain or dispose 
of any person under 21 for the purpose of prostitution; the 
punishment is up to 10 years in prison and a fine (Penal Code 
372-373).  The government has proposed modifying the Penal 
Code to raise the age of consent to 18 for commercial sex 
acts; the changes are expected to be tabled in Parliament in 
the first half of 2007. 
 
-- B. What are the penalties for trafficking people for 
sexual exploitation? 
 
Please refer to the answer above in III A. 
 
-- C. Punishment of Labor Trafficking Offenses: What are the 
prescribed and imposed penalties for trafficking for labor 
exploitation, such as forced or bonded labor and involuntary 
servitude?  Do the government's laws provide for criminal 
punishment -- i.e. jail time -- for labor recruiters in labor 
source countries who engage in recruitment of laborers using 
knowingly fraudulent or deceptive offers that result in 
workers being exploited in the destination country?  For 
employers or labor agents in labor destination countries who 
confiscate workers' passports or travel documents, switch 
contracts without the worker's consent as a means to keep the 
worker in a state of service, or withhold payment of salaries 
as means of keeping the worker in a state of service?  If 
law(s) prescribe criminal punishments for these offenses, 
what are the actual punishments imposed on persons convicted 
of these offenses? 
 
Unlawfully compelling a person to labor against their will is 
an offense; the punishment is up to one year in prison and a 
fine (Penal Code 374).  Slavery and dealing in slaves is 
illegal and punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a 
fine (Penal Code 370-371).  Wrongfully confining a person is 
illegal and is punishable with up to three years in prison 
and a fine (Penal Code 344); if the intention of the 
confinement is to keep them away from persons interested in 
their welfare, including public servants, the penalty can be 
increased by 2 additional years in jail.  Using force or 
deceit to compel any person to go from any place for the 
purpose or wrongful confinement or slavery is illegal and 
punishable with up to 10 years in prison, a fine, and caning 
(Penal Code 362-368).  It is illegal to compel a person to do 
anything they are not legally bound to do through threats 
against them or any person they have an interest in; the 
punishment is up to two years in prison and a fine (Penal 
Code 503-506).  Aiding the commission of any of the above 
offenses, through act or omission, is illegal, and punishable 
with the same penalty as the crime itself (Penal Code 
107-109). 
 
It is an offense under the Employment Agency Rules for 
employment agencies to withhold the passports of foreign 
workers.  Employment agencies that do so face a maximum 
penalty of SGD 1,000 for first time offenders.  Repeat 
offenders can be jailed for up to 6 months and fined a 
maximum of SGD 2,000.  According to the Ministry of Manpower 
(MOM), since 2004, three employment agencies have been 
prosecuted for passport withholding and four were fined. 
 
It is an offense under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act 
to withhold the salary of foreign workers and offenders may 
be fined up to SGD 5,000 and/or imprisonment for a term not 
exceeding 6 months.  Since 2004, 11 employers have been 
prosecuted for failing to pay the salary due to their foreign 
domestic workers and four of them were jailed.  In November 
2006, MOM amended the work permit conditions to require 
employers to offer their foreign domestic workers the option 
to have direct deposit of their salary in their bank 
accounts.  From January to September 2006, 23 employers were 
successfully prosecuted for abusing their foreign domestic 
workers. 
 
Any unilateral change in the terms of work contract would 
render it null and void, according to MOM.  When there is a 
contract dispute, MOM provides mediation services to try to 
resolve differences before pursuing legal action.  According 
to MOM, more than 90 percent of such employment disputes are 
settled amicably through mediation.  Foreign embassies of 
labor source countries report that the most common dispute is 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  003 OF 007 
 
 
over the late payment of wages, usually by smaller firms. 
The failure to pay wages is not seen as a tactic to keep the 
worker in a state of service but due to the precarious 
financial situation of the firms, some of which declare 
bankruptcy. 
 
-- D. What are the prescribed penalties for rape or forcible 
sexual assault?  How do they compare to the prescribed and 
imposed penalties for crimes of trafficking for commercial 
sexual exploitation? 
 
Rape is punishable by a prison term which may extend to 20 
years and a fine or caning (Penal Code 376).  Assault or the 
use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage 
modesty may be punished be a prison term which may extend to 
two years, or with a fine, or with caning, or with any two of 
such punishments (Penal Code 354). 
 
-- E. Is prostitution legalized or decriminalized? 
Specifically, are the activities of the prostitute 
criminalized?  Are the activities of the brothel 
owner/operator, clients, pimps, and enforcers criminalized? 
Are these laws enforced?  If prostitution is legal and 
regulated, what is the legal minimum age for this activity? 
Note that in many countries with federalist systems, 
prostitution laws may be covered by state, local, and 
provincial authorities. 
 
Prostitution per se is not illegal.  However, public 
solicitation is illegal and punishable with a fine.  It also 
is illegal for third parties to live off the earnings of 
prostitutes, which is punishable with a fine or jail. 
Prosecutions for solicitation are rare and usually not aimed 
at the prostitute herself.  Almost all sex workers in 
Singapore come from other countries and are in Singapore on a 
tourist or student visa.  Entry into Singapore for the 
purpose of prostitution or pimping is not permitted, giving 
the police legal grounds to detain and repatriate suspected 
foreign sex workers.  In 2005, authorities detained 3,220 
foreign sex workers, of whom 35 alleged that they were 
forced, intimidated or tricked into prostitution.  A few of 
these 3,220 women were prosecuted for having overstayed their 
visas in Singapore, but most were simply expelled after 
screening for possible coercion and efforts to elicit 
cooperation as witnesses against vice operators.  In 
addition, authorities can exclude from entry persons they 
believe may be entering to engage in prostitution.  (Note: 
Post has requested 2006 law enforcement and immigration 
statistics from MHA.  End Note.) 
 
The law allows authorities to detain for rehabilitation women 
and girls under the age of 21 who are suspected of 
involvement in prostitution.  Since 1999, official 
information is that only seven persons have been held under 
this clause. 
 
The government does not currently regard 16- and 17-year old 
sex workers as "trafficking" victims if they have knowingly 
and willingly engaged in the trade.  The government has 
indicated that it will raise the age of consent for 
commercial sex acts to 18 in the first half of 2007 as part 
of its extensive Penal Code revisions. 
 
Operating a brothel and living off the earnings of a 
prostitute (pimping) are illegal.  In 2005, the authorities 
prosecuted 76 pimps and "vice abettors" (e.g., brothel 
operators).  (Note: Post has requested updated law 
enforcement and immigration statistics from MHA.  End Note.) 
In addition, third parties involved in the prostitution of 
girls under the age of 16 face enhanced penalties (see 
section III.A). 
 
These legal structures are modified by the government's 
policy of "discretionary enforcement" in designated red light 
areas.  After over 20 years of unsuccessful concerted efforts 
to stamp out prostitution in the 1960s and 1970s, the 
Government decided to allow some brothels to operate in 
designated areas.  Cracking down on prostitution had forced 
the industry underground, leading to heavy involvement of 
organized criminal elements and high rates of sexually 
transmitted diseases.  In exchange for the Government's 
toleration of their activities, "authorized" brothels must 
adhere to strict guidelines.  Before commencing work, police 
interview each woman to ensure she is a voluntary participant 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  004 OF 007 
 
 
in the sex trade.  All the women must be at least 21 years 
old, go through explicit "safe sex" training, submit 
themselves to biweekly medical checkups, and carry a yellow 
"health" card.  These sex workers may work only in the 
tolerated brothels, and may not solicit on the street or in 
other establishments. 
 
-- F. Has the government prosecuted any cases against 
traffickers?  If so, provide numbers of investigations, 
prosecutions, convictions, and sentences, including details 
on plea bargains and fines, if relevant and available.  Does 
the government in a labor source country criminally prosecute 
labor recruiters who recruit laborers using knowingly 
fraudulent or deceptive offers or impose on recruited 
laborers inappropriately high or illegal fees or commissions 
that create a debt bondage condition for the laborer?  Does 
the government in a labor destination country criminally 
prosecute employers or labor agents who confiscate workers' 
passports/travel documents, switch contracts or terms of 
employment without the worker's consent, use physical or 
sexual abuse or the threat of such abuse to keep workers in a 
state of service, or withhold payment of salaries as a means 
to keep workers in a state of service?  Are the traffickers 
serving the time sentenced: If not, why not?  Please indicate 
whether the government can provide this information, and if 
not, why not? (Note: complete answers to this section are 
essential. End Note) 
 
Of the 3,220 foreign sex workers detained in 2005, 35 alleged 
that they were forced, intimidated or tricked into 
prostitution.  Seven victims did not remain in contact with 
the police to pursue investigations.  Of the remaining 28 
cases, the police were not able to make cases for any 
trafficking specific charges, but the government was able to 
successfully prosecute eight people under related charges 
under the Women's Charter and Immigration Act.  Three cases 
remained under investigation.  (Note: Post has requested 2006 
data from MHA.  End Note.) 
 
The government does prosecute employment agencies and 
employers that withhold the passports of workers.  Since 
2004, three employment agencies have been prosecuted for 
passport withholding and four were fined.  Since 2004, 11 
employers have been prosecuted for failing to pay the salary 
due to their foreign domestic workers and four of them were 
jailed.  The local media gave prominent coverage to these 
cases.  In August 2006, a father and son were fined SGD 
20,000 each after they pled guilty to failing to pay the 
salaries of workers at their now bankrupt construction firm. 
The money from the fines was to be distributed among the 
workers. 
 
-- G. Is there any information or reports of who is behind 
the trafficking?  For example, are the traffickers freelance 
operators, small crime groups, and/or large international 
organized crime syndicates?  Are employment, travel, and 
tourism agencies or marriage brokers fronting for traffickers 
or crime groups to traffic individuals?  Are government 
officials involved?  Are there any reports of where profits 
from trafficking in persons are being channeled?  (e.g. armed 
groups, terrorist organizations, judges, banks, etc.) 
 
No known trafficking rings operate in Singapore. Government 
officials are not involved in trafficking.  Representatives 
of other diplomatic missions and NGOs have told us that 
whatever trafficking does occur is run by small, freelance 
operators based outside of Singapore.  Major organized crime 
rings do not appear to be involved; some smaller rings have 
been discovered in the source countries but generally have 
only a few low-level persons physically in Singapore. 
 
The Embassy is not aware of any cases in which employment 
agencies, travel agencies or marriage brokers were fronting 
for traffickers.  The government closely monitors these 
agencies, which face severe penalties for helping people to 
violate Singapore's strict immigration laws.  For example, 
travel agencies that repeatedly bring people to Singapore who 
do not leave when their visas expire are blacklisted by the 
government, are required to post a SGD 1,000 deposit on every 
one of their visitors, and face extended processing time for 
visas.  Employment agencies must be accredited, and are 
subjected to periodic audits and spot checks by Ministry of 
Manpower authorities.  It would be difficult to use marriage 
agencies as a front for labor or sex trafficking, given 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  005 OF 007 
 
 
Singapore's stringent immigration rules: obtaining permanent 
residence status for a foreign spouse is an arduous process 
that can take years and subjects the couple to close scrutiny 
by immigration officials.  Marriages of convenience to obtain 
immigration status are illegal, and people who misuse their 
Singapore documents (passport and national identity card) to 
skirt immigration rules can be prosecuted for fraud and 
corruption, both of which carry heavy jail sentences and 
potential caning.  However, in December 2005, the government 
formed an inter-agency working group to evaluate the business 
practices of Singapore-based marriage brokers that involve 
foreign women.  The working group is consulting with agencies 
involved in this field and will recommend ways to improve the 
way they conduct their business. 
 
-- H. Does the government actively investigate cases of 
trafficking?  (Again, the focus should be on trafficking 
cases versus migrant smuggling cases.) Does the government 
use active investigative techniques in trafficking in persons 
investigations?  To the extent possible under domestic law, 
are techniques such as electronic surveillance, undercover 
operations, and mitigated punishment or immunity for 
cooperating suspects used by the government?  Does the 
criminal procedure code or other laws prohibit the police 
from engaging in covert operations? 
 
The government actively investigates trafficking.  Police use 
informants, electronic surveillance, and active patrols to 
monitor the sex industry for coercion.  Police and 
prosecutors say that they deal with any allegations of 
deception or coercion in the sex industry as priority cases, 
and NGOs say that "all" such tips that they pass to the 
police receive immediate attention.  Authorities screen 
detained suspected sex workers (i.e., those not operating in 
the "tolerated" system) for possible cases of coercion, and 
also to ascertain the identity of "vice operators" involved 
and obtain prosecution witnesses against these third parties. 
 Singapore Police are effective and equipped with broad 
powers.  They use techniques such as electronic surveillance, 
informants, and undercover and covert operations. 
Prosecutors can recommend mitigated punishments for people 
who cooperate in a police investigation.  They use these 
powers fully to investigate cases of alleged trafficking, 
according to NGO representatives and other observers of the 
sex industry. 
 
For labor cases, the Ministry of Manpower conducts spot 
checks on employers, has a hotline for domestic workers, and, 
with the police, investigates tips from the public as well as 
NGOs. 
 
-- I. Does the government provide any specialized training 
for government officials in how to recognize, investigate, 
and prosecute instances of trafficking? 
 
Police and prosecutors are competent to recognize, 
investigate and prosecute trafficking-related offenses. 
Police have consulted with a local NGO on techniques for 
improving their interaction with victims. The police 
coordinate with foreign police forces on specialized training 
on issues such as vice syndicates and child exploitation. 
Singapore also participates in training courses at the U.S. 
International Law Enforcement Academy in Bangkok, including 
courses on trafficking-related crimes. 
 
--J. Does the government cooperate with other governments in 
the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases?  If 
possible, can post provide the number of cooperative 
international investigations on trafficking? 
 
The Singapore government does cooperate with other 
governments on trafficking cases.  It has worked with Thai 
and Indonesian police on possible trafficking rings.  The 
Singapore Police hold regular bilateral meetings with their 
Malaysian counterparts on trafficking and other transnational 
issues.  Singapore and Indonesia are negotiating an 
extradition treaty, which would improve cooperative law 
enforcement efforts on transnational crimes, including 
trafficking.  The authorities also work with embassies of 
domestic-worker source countries in investigating abuse 
allegations.  For example, one embassy official from a labor 
source country praised the good response by the police and 
said "they want to help us." 
 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  006 OF 007 
 
 
Singapore actively participates in multilateral fora to 
combat TIP and people smuggling.  Singaporean airport and 
immigration authorities allow U.S. DHS immigration officers 
ongoing access inside Changi airport's transit lounge, where 
they assist Singaporean authorities to prevent and address 
potential human trafficking, people smuggling, and 
immigration fraud cases. 
 
Singapore does not release the number or nature of 
cooperative international investigations it participates in. 
 
-- K. Does the government extradite persons who are charged 
with trafficking in other countries?  If so, can post provide 
the number of traffickers extradited?  Does the government 
extradite its own nationals charged with such offenses?   If 
not, is the government prohibited by law form extraditing its 
own nationals?  If so, is the government doing to modify its 
laws to permit the extradition of its own nationals? 
 
Singapore is not known to have received requests to extradite 
a trafficker.  Singapore extradites its own nationals. 
Singapore law requires extraditions to be on the basis of a 
treaty, but the government is willing to deport 
non-Singaporeans into custody if there is no extradition 
treaty in existence. 
 
-- L. Is there evidence of government involvement in or 
tolerance of trafficking, on a local or institutional level? 
If so, please explain in detail. 
 
There is no evidence of government involvement in or 
tolerance of trafficking.  The Singapore Government is 
virtually free of corruption.  Penalties in the few isolated 
cases of government corruption and misconduct have been harsh. 
 
-- M. If government officials are involved in trafficking, 
what steps has the government taken to end such 
participation?  Have any government officials been prosecuted 
for involvement in trafficking or trafficking-related 
corruption?  Have any been convicted?  What sentence(s) was 
imposed?  Please provide specific numbers, if available. 
 
Not applicable. 
 
-- N. If the country has an identified child sex tourism 
problem (as source or destination), how many foreign 
pedophiles has the government prosecuted or 
deported/extradited to their country of origin?  What are the 
countries of origin for sex tourists?  Do the country's child 
sexual abuse laws have extraterritorial coverage (similar to 
the U.S. PROTECT Act)?  If so, how many of the country's 
nationals have been prosecuted and/or convicted under the 
extraterritorial provision(s)? 
 
Men from Singapore do travel to countries in the region for 
sex tourism.  It is probable that some are engaging in child 
sex tourism.  Post is not aware of any estimates of the 
number of Singaporeans who are involved in child sex tourism. 
 
The Singapore government acknowledges that it has a sex 
tourism problem.  In its proposed amendments to the Penal 
Code (expected to be tabled in Parliament in the first half 
of 2007), the government would extend extra-territorial 
jurisdiction over Singaporean citizens and permanent 
residents who purchase or solicit sexual services from minors 
overseas.  The penalty would be imprisonment for a term up to 
seven years and/or a fine.  To further help combat child sex 
tourism, the proposed amendments also make organizing or 
promoting child sex tours a criminal offense.  The penalty 
would be imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years and/or a 
fine. 
 
-- O. Has the government signed, ratified, and/or taken steps 
to implement the following international instruments?  Please 
provide the date of signature/ratification if appropriate. 
 
--ILO Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate 
Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor. 
 
Singapore ratified ILO Convention 182 in June 2001. 
 
--ILO Convention 29 and 105 on Forced or Compulsory Labor. 
 
Singapore ratified Convention 29 in October 1965.  It 
 
SINGAPORE 00000405  007 OF 007 
 
 
ratified Convention 105 the same month, but withdrew from it 
in April 1979. 
 
--The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of 
the Child (CRC) on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, 
and Child Pornography. 
 
No. 
 
--The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in 
Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN 
Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. 
 
No. 
HERBOLD