The Court of Appeal in Singapore upheld the High Court's decision to dismiss three challenges to Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men.
Section 377A, which criminalises acts of "gross indecency" between men with a penalty of up to two years imprisonment, was imposed in 1938 during British colonial rule.
The challenges were mounted by: Disc jockey Johnson Ong Ming, retired general practitioner Roy Tan Seng Kee and Bryan Choong Chee Hoong, the former executive director of LGBT non-profit organisation Oogachaga.
In a 152-page written judgment delivered by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on behalf of a five-judge panel, the Court of Appeal stressed that the appeals are "not about whether Section 377A should be retained or repealed", as this was "a matter beyond our remit". "Nor are they about the moral worth of homosexual individuals," said the Chief Justice.
The Court of Appeal held that the entirety of Section 377A is "unenforceable" unless and until the Attorney-General of the day provides clear notice that he or she, in his capacity as the public prosecutor, intends to reassert his right to enforce the law by way of prosecution that applies to certain conducts.
The acknowledgement that Section 377A is unenforceable only in the prosecutorial sense is cold comfort. Its real impact lies in how it perpetuates discrimination to LGBTQ people across every aspect of life in Singapore, at home, in schools, in the workplace, in media, and even access to vital services like healthcare.
Very disappointed!!!
I was in Singapore once. I asked the cab driver who seemed nervous at hell -- where the gay nightlife was -- and his reply was that "there are no gays in Singapore". I deliberately asked, because I knew this was the answer. I was staying at a very nice hotel for three days on business (The Ritz Carlton) and the hotel DELIBERATELY posted someone outside my room (this nervous young bellboy) later in the day who I assumed was watching me -- since the cab driver probably reported me to the police. Now, what is bizarre is that there were many high-class rent girls in the hotel bar - who were just waiting to be picked up. Prostitution is apparently legal there, and I assumed the hotel was given a part of the "cut" for hosting the action. To make a long story short, Singapore is one very very creepy Police State -- clean and prosperous --which I will not go back to visit. Ever. BTW they announced on the airplane flying in that anyone caught bringing in the open term "drugs" could face the death penalty. What a charming way to great your visitors!
ReplyDeletewow, thanks for sharing your experience Eddi, good to know!
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