Consular Support for Singaporeans Arrested or Charged with Offences in Foreign Countries
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the considerations for providing consular support to Singaporeans arrested or charged with offences abroad. Mr Leon Perera asked about the criteria MFA uses to determine the extent of such assistance when notified of an arrest. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan stated that MFA ensures citizens receive due process while adhering to local laws. He explained that MFA contacts next-of-kin, ascertains facts, and facilitates consular access and family visits, subject to local authorities' approval. The Minister confirmed that consular assistance is generally extended to every request, provided it remains within the host country's legal framework.
Transcript
9 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what considerations are used to determine if and to what extent consular support is provided to Singaporeans abroad who are arrested or charged with offences when the Ministry is informed of the incident by the individual concerned, by his or her next-of-kin or by other Government agencies.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): The safety of Singaporeans who are travelling overseas is always the paramount concern of the MFA.
We constantly remind Singaporeans who are visiting, working or living overseas that they have to abide by the local laws. If a Singaporean is arrested or detained, we ensure that our citizens are accorded due process under those local laws. Hence, the extent and the nature of our consular assistance is determined by the unique circumstances of each case and, of course, by the bilateral and international obligations of the host country. Above all else, the entire process has to be in accordance with the local laws and regulations.
Once MFA is notified that a Singaporean has been arrested or detained overseas, we will quickly get in touch with the next-of-kin. We will also contact the local authorities to ascertain the basic facts of the case. We will request for consular access to the Singaporean and we will facilitate visits by the next-of-kin. But, again, and I need to emphasise this, all this is subject to the approval of the local authorities.
MFA will also continue to seek updates from the local authorities on the progress of the case and we will remain in contact with his next-of-kin and family members in order to provide consular assistance.
Mr Leon Perera (Non-Constituency Member): I thank the Minister for his reply. Just to confirm, so, if there is a request made to MFA from the next-of-kin or from a person who is incarcerated, and if it is permitted, if it does not contravene local laws, can we assume that MFA would generally extend some kind of consular assistance to every such request?
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: A simple answer, yes.