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Government Laws

Penal Code - Chapter XVI - Kidnapping, Abduction, Slavery and Forced Labor

The following section was extracted from the Singapore Penal Code document and reflect penalties for the crimes that relate to human trafficking. For a full description of the Penal Code please visit http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/

Kidnapping

Kidnapping is of two kinds: kidnapping from Singapore, and kidnapping from lawful guardianship.

Kidnapping from Singapore

Whoever conveys any person beyond the limits of Singapore without the consent of that person, or of some person legally authorised to consent on behalf of that person, is said to kidnap that person from Singapore.

Kidnapping from lawful guardianship

Whoever takes or entices any minor under 14 years of age if a male, or under 16 years of age if a female, or any person of unsound mind, out of the keeping of the lawful guardian of such minor or person of unsound mind, without the consent of such guardian, is said to kidnap such minor or person from lawful guardianship.

Explanation

The words "lawful guardian" in this section include any person lawfully entrusted with the care or custody of such minor or other person.

Exception

This section does not extend to the act of any person who in good faith believes himself to be the father of an illegitimate child or who in good faith believes himself to be entitled to the lawful custody of such child, unless such act is committed for an immoral or unlawful purpose.

Abduction

Whoever by force compels, or by any deceitful means induces any person to go from any place, is said to abduct that person.

Punishment for kidnapping

Whoever kidnaps any person from Singapore or from lawful guardianship, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder

Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be murdered, or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being murdered, shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall, if he is not sentenced to death, also be liable to caning.

Illustrations

1. A kidnaps Z from Singapore, intending or knowing it to be likely that Z may be sacrificed to an idol. A has committed the offence defined in this section.
2. A forcibly carries or entices B away from his home in order that B may be murdered. A has committed the offence defined in this section.

Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person

Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Kidnapping or abducting a woman to compel her marriage, etc.

Whoever kidnaps or abducts any woman with intent that she may be compelled, or knowing it to be likely that she will be compelled to marry any person against her will, or in order that she may be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or to a life of prostitution, or knowing it to be likely that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse, or to a life of prostitution, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Kidnapping or abducting in order to subject a person to grievous hurt, slavery, etc.

Whoever kidnaps or abducts any person in order that such person may be subjected, or may be so disposed of as to be put in danger of being subjected to grievous hurt or slavery, or to the unnatural lust of any person, or knowing it to be likely that such person will be so subjected or disposed of, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement a kidnapped person

Whoever, knowing that any person has been kidnapped or has been abducted, wrongfully conceals or keeps such person in confinement, shall be punished in the same manner as if he had kidnapped or abducted such person with the same intention or knowledge or for the same purpose as that with or for which he conceals or detains such person in confinement.

Kidnapping or abducting child under 10 years with intent to steal movable property from the person of such child

Whoever kidnaps or abducts any child under the age of 10 years, with the intention of taking dishonestly any movable property from the person of such child, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.

Buying or disposing of any person as a slave

Whoever imports, exports, removes, buys, sells or disposes of any person as a slave, or accepts, receives or detains against his will any person as a slave, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Habitual dealing in slaves

Whoever habitually imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, traffics or deals in slaves, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Selling minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

Whoever sells, lets to hire, or otherwise disposes of any person under the age of 21 years with intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation

When a female under the age of 21 years is sold, let for hire, or otherwise disposed of to a prostitute or to any person who keeps or manages a brothel, the person so disposing of such female shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have disposed of her with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

Buying minor for purposes of prostitution, etc.

Whoever buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of any person under the age of 21 years with intent that such person shall at any age be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution or illicit intercourse with any person or for any unlawful and immoral purpose, or knowing it to be likely that such person will at any age be employed or used for any such purpose, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation

Any prostitute, or any person keeping or managing a brothel, who buys, hires or otherwise obtains possession of a female under the age of 21 years shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have obtained possession of such female with the intent that she shall be used for the purpose of prostitution.

Importing by fraud with intent

Whoever -

1. by any false pretence, false representation, or fraudulent or deceitful means, brings, or assists in bringing, into Singapore any woman with intent that such woman may be employed or used for the purpose of prostitution;

Importing with intent to sell, etc.,

2. brings, or assists in bringing, into Singapore any woman with intent that such woman may be sold or bought for the purpose of prostitution; or

or buying or selling

3. sells or buys any woman for the purpose of prostitution.

   Penalty

4. shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Unlawful compulsory labour

Whoever unlawfully compels any person to labour against the will of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.