Singapore’s highest court rules caning as constitutional

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Singapore flag
Singapore flag

Singapore’s highest court ruled Wednesday that the caning of convicted prisoners is constitutional, rejecting an argument that it amounts to torture, local press reported.

Singapore flag
Singapore flag

The Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge brought by convicted drug courier Yong Vui Kong, who had his death sentence changed to life in prison and 15 strokes of the cane in November 2013.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, in delivering the court’s decision, said the common law prohibition on torture only applies to the torture of suspects or witnesses for the purpose of extracting information and does not cover the treatment of criminals after they have been found guilty, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

M Ravi, Yong’s attorney, was quoted as saying the ruling has “put us back to the Middle Ages.”

“It is very disappointing that the court has shied away from giving Singaporeans constitutional protection from torture,” human rights advocate Damien Chng told dpa.

GNA

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