Justice for All

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In September, in Singapore, migrant worker and domestic helper Parti Liyani was acquitted of 4 charges of theft against her. She had earlier been convicted by the State Courts of stealing more than $30,000 worth of items from the family of Mr Liew Mun Leong, the (former) Chairman of Changi Airport Group. This was overturned by the High Court. In his judgment, Justice Chan Seng Onn said the convictions against Ms Parti were “unsafe” due to the presence of an “improper motive” and that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. 

How could the lower court and the prosecution have erred so badly, resulting in nearly 4 years of hardship to Parti Liyani as she underwent police investigations, stood trial, was wrongly found gulity, and then appealed against her convictions? She had to remain in Singapore throughout this time, but she could not hold a job, and so she had to depend on the charity of friends and migrant-rights organizations, such as HOME.

To stand with her and other vulnerable persons, Singaporean civic organizations are signing an open letter to President Halimah Yacob, urging her to appoint an independent commission of inquiry to review Singapore's criminal justice system. Singapore Unbound has joined the signatories in this petition. Please ask your organization to sign the letter too. You can also write to the president as a private individual using the email template provided. You can also help by spreading the word. Find all you need at this link.

In solidarity,
Jee Leong Koh
December 24, 2020

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