CAN: Special safe guards needed for criminal cases involving minors
February 2nd, 2016 | 
Author: 
Singapore based NGO, Community Action Network (CAN) has issued a statement expressing its concern over the death of 14-year-old, Benjamin Lim who died of “unnatural causes” on Tuesday late afternoon after being interviewed by the police without the accompaniment of his parents.Below is their statement in full
Community Action Network (CAN) would like to highlight the fact that as a signatory to the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC), Singapore should amend the Child and Young Persons Act (CYPA) to reflect the country’s ratification of the CRC, especially where the defined age of the child is concerned.
It is also clear that we need to implement special safe guards in place for criminal cases involving minors to ensure that those who find themselves assisting with the police in an investigation as a suspect, do not feel intimidated under any circumstances which may lead to trauma.
CAN is of the opinion that the tragic incident involving Benjamin Lim Jun Hui, a 14-year-old who died of “unnatural causes” on Tuesday, could have been prevented had everyone involved in the investigation of this case showed sensitivity towards the fact that they were investigating a minor.
Last but not least, we find it absurd that while public spaces are heavily surveilled with security cameras, interrogation rooms are not fitted with any cameras to allow for transparency of the interrogation process, which may be useful in an incident like this.
Endorsees: Shelley Thio, Roy Ngerng, Jennifer Teo, Woon Tien Wei, Rachel Zeng, Lynn Lee, and Jolovan Wham from Community Action Network together with individual endorsees, Vincent Law and Jevon NgThe Community Action Network is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Singapore concerned about freedom of expression, and civil and political rights.
Background of the case – The secondary three student was taken to the police station for investigation by five plainclothes police officers from his school on Tuesday morning and was interviewed for over 3 hours. Benjamin had been alleged to have molested an 11-year-old girl on Monday afternoon which he denies. Shortly after returning home with his mother and sister from the police station, he locked himself in his room and jumped out the window.
Read the full story on The Online Citizen.
I just have to reproduce this piece posted in TRE. Would the truth be uncovered to this premature death of a young boy? When a society is sick, the adults are also sick. Don't be deceived by the appearance that all is fine. All the fuck talk about compassion, caring society, about highly trained and educated personnel, how could it lead to this unnatural death out of the blue? This is like handcuffing little kids for petty crimes and misbehaviours and accepted as normal.
78 comments:
Would anyone feel guilty, remorseful and responsible for this?
Forget about cameras. They only work when they want it to work against someone or a party, like the opposition.
Most of the time when a recording is needed, the template answer is that the cameras were out of order, or the recordings were faulty.
Transparency? The emperor's new clothes were absolutely transparent, but no one dared to tell the truth.
A reminder to all school principals and teachers. The children are in your charge and their safety your responsibility. In such cases, a teacher must be present with the child in the police station to protect and provide emotional and psychological support.
Fucking twits.
core:
February 2, 2016 at 7:59 am (Quote)
what a sad sad case of a waste of a young human life!
this case and the factors leading up to it’s appalling end, stinks.
i read the TOC article and cried when i read Ben’s parents comments there.
being a parent myself, to have your child die under ANY circumstances is THE most terrible thing in life.
this incident brought to mind the actions of our glorious SPF.
handcuffing a nine year old suspected shoplifter and sending FIVE plainclothes officers to a school to escort a 14 year old molest SUSPECT is so in line with their arrogance and demeanor.
but when faced with a rioting mob of adults in little india, they desert their posts, and run away like little girls, shitting and pissing in their underwear!
rest in peace young Benjamin!
my heartfelt and deepest condolences go out to the bereaved LIM family!
Xmen:
February 2, 2016 at 8:08 am (Quote)
There must be a COI into this case. Otherwise, how do we know if the Police will not terrorize the next 12 year old? 10 year old? 8 year old? When/where does it stop?
The family should bring lawsuit against the Police and the school. These institutions and adults need to be held accountable to prevent more tragedies against young people
Concerned Housewife:
February 2, 2016 at 8:33 am (Quote)
Very uncivilised country will allow such sufferings to be metted out on our children. I will not accept unnecessary sick words, sick treatments or sick ‘policies’ spelt out by people in authority or their khakis. I have many many times stood up against such people on behalf of my family (my husband and my children). A great educator has used this phrase calling my son and his best friend “partners in crime”. So this primary school breeds criminals is it? Mischievious children are criminals. A police state starts from a very young age.
To Benjamin’s family, my family are very upset about what has happened to Benjamin. Be strong, and take care of your health, please.
indeed very very very very SAD............
just 14.........
why like that lah.........
why why why?????????????????????
own self shoot own self and people just give him the gun but act bodohbabi
All the big mouths diam diam. Talk so much nonsense in parliament now keep mum.
Big mouths never mind but must be good people. Good people tua liap..balls extra big one
Some ( police ) procedures are real unbelievable especially involving minors ......?
Must need big incidents to occur before they rectify the procedures ( on the ground ) ......?
"One size fits all" police procedures? Never use the grey matter in their head?
If true, no wonder opposition still not ready to be govt and so PAP can win 70% of the votes.
The Citizenry shall suffer immeasurably
if they allow themselves to be treated cold bloodedly by the
Authority.
And 5 officers to handle a student in class was a gross misuse of resources. It must have been a very intimidating and traumatic experience for a young boy.
Those involved in the handlings of the 14 year Old Student, namely the Investigation Officer Incharge, the School Principal and Any Others, should be put to an inquiry and be penalised accordingly.
Waiting for the law minister to comment on this on his FB instead of his overly concern over WP time and again.
tekan opposition.. enough manpower to form circle.
arrest minor...enough manpower to form circle (5 matas)
riot by FTs... not enough manpower
Police interrogation of minors.
Do you think American legal procedures offer better protection to minors?
Would our Singaporean boy still be alive if we had American legal procedures instead?
........................................
The same rules apply when the situation involves the questioning of minors.
The Supreme Court recently expanded on those rules, however, when it decided that the police must take a person's age into account when determining whether the circumstances of a case merit a Miranda notification.
The case the Court ruled upon involved a 13 year-old boy whom the police suspected of involvement with two burglaries.
A police officer went to his school, removed him from class and placed him in a conference room with the door closed and two school administrators present.
The officer did not give the boy a Miranda warning or inform him that he could leave the room at any time prior to beginning the questioning.
After the boy admitted to participation in the burglaries, however, the officer told the boy that he could refuse to answer questions and leave whenever he wanted.
The boy stayed and provided further detail about the crimes.
The Supreme Court held that the trial judge improperly denied the boy's request to throw out the statements he made to police because he did not receive the proper Miranda notification.
The Court recognized the fact that, because of their relative immaturity and lack of experience, children "cannot be viewed simply as miniature adults".
http://criminal.findlaw.com/juvenile-justice/police-questioning-of-minors.html
Protection of minors under American laws
http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/felony-offense/can-cops-question-my-child-about-a-crime
...........................................
When is a Child "In Custody?"
.................................
The question of whether a person—adult or child—has been detained or taken into custody can be complex.
If police formally arrest the child, place him in handcuffs, lock him in the back of a police car, or place him in a holding cell at a police station, it can easily be said that the child is, in fact, in custody and not free to leave.
If the child is arrested, the police should announce that the child is under arrest.
In other less obvious situations, the question is whether a reasonable person in that situation would believe he was free to leave.
The United States Supreme Court recently ruled that when considering the admissibility of a minor’s confession to police who did not give Miranda warnings, a judge must consider the age of the child in determining whether a reasonable person would have believed he was in custody or not free to leave when he made the confession.
The Court noted that a minor may be more likely to see a police officer as an authority figure and feel required to stay wherever the police officer has approached her.
When the Police Conduct Improper Questioning
...................................................
If the police arrest or detain a child and refuse the child’s request to call parents or another adult, or to talk to an attorney, there can be more consequences than the child’s statements being kept out in court.
The parents could file a complaint with the police department or local government against the officers or department involved.
If the situation was particularly serious and the child was physically abused or deprived of food, water, or rest while being interrogated by police, the parents could file a lawsuit on behalf of the child for violation of the child’s civil rights.
http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/felony-offense/can-cops-question-my-child-about-a-crime
During 2013 Little India Riot COI, (Ex)Police Commissioner Ng Joo Hee testified that SPF acutely short-handed ......?
How come SPF can afford and need 5 plain clothes police officers to "circle the boy in school right from the classroom"?
Won't any 14-year old feel "terrified and intimidated"?
How does that make him feel when he need to go back to school ( after being led away by 5 matas during school time )?
Vote Opposition.
Implement American laws and legal procedures in Singapore.
Don't hesitate anymore.
I think the boy is guilty, what think you?
MataLims will stone him to death
Sinkies are really stupid people
I think the boy is guilty, what think you?
February 02, 2016 7:49 pm
I think your mother is a whore, what you think?
Guilty or not guilty.
The boy didn't deserve to die.
CNY, how to face relatives and friends in school?
Strange, no one calls him a perv. Why? You that innocent?
Bloody false compassion.fiaking hypocrites
Aiyah..just come out and stone him to death lah..my gay gay lah
Stupig singaporeans deserve to be screwed by politicians
Sarcastic Uncle...also clueless...tio bo? lol
You know where to find them...mostly old people who cannot make it or ugly bitches WAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Oi...impressionable younger good for nothing idiots also like that lol
Singaporeans love to talk about sex crimes, what do you think?
LoL
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Singaporeans love to talk about sex crimes, what do you think?
February 02, 2016 8:53 pm
Actually, they are obsessed with crimes...especially new papers
Have you ever read court judgments and reporters, especially female, name calling in the papers? Countless times
I think your mother is a whore. You want proof? I am the proof.
The immaturity of our police and the teacher/principle as guardians of children is so scary.
Yah...so many anon here. Who stupid anon insulting lol
PMS lah lol
at the end of the day, still fuck by Politicians lol
at least they know how to call Politicians Mothers are whole...smart already for Singapore standard hahahaha
whore or hole..fav words...hahahaha
The subject who is a minor is not even proven guilty and it is unfair to take him away from school or class just because of a allegation by a 11 year old ,if what is reported is true.
I pity the parent of the subject,14 years of hardship bringing him up but landed sending him off in this way.
I am in no position to hope for these incompetent high handed,no brainer abusing their so think given power to be punish...But I will pray that these bullies' family members face the same fate of this minor,or incapable to produce baby or baby born without backside,so as not to cause more misfortune to my fellow citizen.
Crimes are not all the same. Amos boy boy got it worst from the authorities and he was proud about it. This boy jumped to his death. Society must take responsibility.
Don't act act lah...if he did it to your sister how? Knnccb ...go jump! Tio bo?
Aiyo, just a case of molest.
Not rape or murder. Need to send five plainclothes detectives to arrest him. Think the boy hard core criminal and armed with weapons lije U Ass hay??
Three hours interrogation for s simple case of molest.
Everyday, inadvertently sometimes also accidentally bang bang in crowded places into different species of human beings, also molest??
I ever as a victim of assault being condemned as an accused and being purposely delayed and threatened in their liars just to humiliate you.
So can imagine how this poor boy gone thru. But as a weather beaten old man who had served in the Provost and Customs Department had never feel threatened by them.
I carry arms and arrest drug traffickers when some of them are still sucking milk.
"Three hours interrogation for s simple case of molest. "
They like to hear all the juicy details, cannot meh? You don't? Pls lah
"Need to send five plainclothes detectives to arrest him. "
If 100 can come along, they will. All the retirees will turn up with cameras for photos session too. This is Singapore you know. lol
Anon 12.17
Wah haven't sleep. Must be one of the unemployed been kicjed out by the foreign talents.
Also must be one of those sex starving maniac who crumb just seeing some women bare flesh.
Molest just touch touch the melons or mangoes. What so juicy details.
Poor you. Like matilah said get a life.
Go to go for my roulette session now in tge City above the clouds that never sleeps
Virgo 49
You know yourself so well bravo lol
Police will be expected to be creative in accounting from now. What a shame
"I carry arms and arrest drug traffickers when some of them are still sucking milk."
Wouldn't you prefer to arrest prostitutes? haaa cmon, my gay gay
LoL
No wonder matilah cursed old farts...and he thinks he is young haaaa
"But as a weather beaten old man who had served in the Provost and Customs Department had never feel threatened by them. "
No offense, but mostly self confession there lol
This kind of thing, it is very straight forward. The experience police is very experience to form an early verdict and thereafter, public relation cough cough cough
"Molest just touch touch the melons or mangoes."?
HaHaHaHaHa..he said...just touch touch only...Hahahaha....who had served in the provost and customs department some more...Hahahahahah..melons and mangoes? .....be worried, be very worried...Hahahahahah
Wah piang!!
What a weirdo who writes and self answered and laughed to himself at the same time.
Self check own self, PAP style??
5 men trying to prove to a kid they are men.
Would this case be cover up?
"Everyday, inadvertently sometimes also accidentally bang bang in crowded places into different species of human beings, also molest??"
accidentally bang bang..hahaha..yeah right...coming from an old man who served in the provost and customs department..be worried...be very worried...hahahaha
What is the minimum height to qualify as a policeman?
Was it 1.7m for guys?
Or at least 1.65m or 1.62m?
Is there height exemption for "scholars"?
If not, how cum some shortie can be policeman scholar when he looks like only ....... ermmmmmmmm .......... ermmmmmmmm ....... about 1.49m or at the most 1.55m in height?
They said illegal to take pictures of public servants?
Is it true?
Bcos sometimes in the public can see some officers in uniform but the pants when view from their back maciam look like going to drop off .....?
But legally probably cannot anyhow take photos and "stomp" the pictures right?
Anybody or ex-provost etc can advise?
The SPF needs to lift its game, as do the multitude of internet opinion junkies. CAN really needs to life their game, if they want to be taken seriously. In this instance, they do a GREAT DISSERVICE to the deceased and the bereaved, by being slack-arses in their comment.
>> Shortly after returning home with his mother and sister from the police station, he locked himself in his room and jumped out the window. <<
Bullshit lah. Just suka suka make unsupported assumptions. Did he fall or did he jump? This is UNCLEAR, and the question is important...too important to just wave the hand and make a judgement without hard, TESTABLE evidence.
>> CAN is of the opinion that the tragic incident involving Benjamin Lim Jun Hui, a 14-year-old who died of “unnatural causes” on Tuesday, could have been prevented had everyone involved in the investigation of this case showed sensitivity towards the fact that they were investigating a minor. <<
Utter bullshit. CAN has no knowledge on whether "sensitivity" was involved in the police interrogation, and to what degree in the spectrum from "completely callous" to "completely cautious and sensitive.
From the Police Statement:
>> 2 While at Ang Mo Kio Division, he was interviewed by one Investigation Officer at his workstation in an open plan office with other workstations. He was fully cooperative during the interview. He was then released on bail and went back with his mother. <<
WTF? "Interviewed" in an open plan office? Supposedly for an offence of alleged of sexual assault? C'mon SPF, you're either covering shit up or you really drop the ball on this one. KNN, you do the community a GREAT DISSERVICE!
Also, The Law should be a bit more "understanding" of teenagers and their raging hormones, and the super-active teenage brain. I'm not saying let off teens who actually do "molest" other teens...but adults should understand the CONTEXT, because, let's face it crazy shit happens when you're growing up.
food court food hooreeble...whoreegible....services in Singapore whoreegible...whoreegible...must you be policetician life than sweet sweet teeth white white grinning from botanical garden to geyland loyang toa payoh?
¥+%*%£¥<¥>¥£
Ref:
1. The Teen Brain: It's Just Not Grown Up Yet
2. The teenage brain: A scientific analysis
Super-active brain (very fast) + raging hormones + not fully connected frontal lobes ==> crazy teenage behaviour. (often involving silly, potentially fatal RISK taking)
Matilah, what were you doing when you were 14 years old? Catching spiders and watching them bang bang?
Be honest, cmon. Don't be shy, you won't be interrogated by the police :)
@ kaypoh-kia anonymous:
Ah...14 years old, 1971...I was catching spiders, playing soccer at Serangoon Gardens and Newton Circus, digging on Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, James Brown...and the rest of the wonderful music of the era.
I also got my first blow-job from an SCGS girl. She was 17, me 14.
Seems like sg brain already locked up..
Only escape is thru a window.
Hey Kodok Anon at 9.31
No time but now after making a fortune at the gaming tables and machines at the City above the Clouds.
MRT Trains or crowded places, squeeze like sardines no accidentally bang bang in your sinkieland.
If you are in the SPF, how many innocent jokers gonna put in jails and canes by your stupid paradoxical psychotic brains.
A competent law enforcer must be impartial to all the accused and the accuser and have no judgement as you are not the judge.
Like our enlightened AhGongKia said He is not guilty unless proven otherwise. He is so much wiser than you.
You must be still a young punk wet behind the ears or like one stupid one SAF scholar officer used to scold the men: "You bak seow boh kow" Still have not see the Real World yet.
You think your sinkieland very Safe Safe. Always criticized that we get banged, raped, soto mee in Matland.
Your sinkieland with two million black ants, hyenas, black bears and foxes and wolves will devour you and your families in just one go.
You think the SPF can protect you??
They scurried like rats when confronted by them. Only know how to arrest and handcfuffed tiny weeny little kids.
Go to JB and you see all the tudang clad giggling young girls all over the streets and malls. Fear of rape?? Only in sinkieland where thousands of rapist from the Nation of Rapists and Shit prowl the streets.
City above the Clouds, every ten feet one able bodied mata mata specially for Resorts World looked like Commandos and Guards as compared to your weeny tinny specs wearing men in blue.
Stop LOLO like a madman and wake up from sucking your mother's breasts.
Hello Anon 10.41
Please do not disgrace us as ex-Provost men or now SAF MPs Command with the pants dropping civilian specs wearing men in blue.
We are dealing with fighting men trained to fight the armies of the world. The men in blue are trained only to scurry like rats when they meet the black ants.
Also to handcuff little boys below ten in case they whacked them.
In the Provost of MP Command, where you got see and slickly MPs on duty???
Our time, with high top peak caps with front curve bend covering our eyes and with RED TOPS on top signifying DANGER on patrol in Land Rovers with white webbed holster of a 9mm Browning revolver with thirteen rounds who dared to fark around with us???
Our uniforms starched and can stand on its own like the Gurkha soldiers. Where got slickly MPs?? Duty at camps with BLUE TOPS and erect like the MPs at the DMZ Korean War Zones.
How can the SPF compared to us??
Most of us CAS men with the Regulars of Lou Han Chinatown Loon Kwan dragons and tigers gave fears to the servicemen. Even from the KD Malaya stationed at Woodlands.
Ang Mos servicemen, PDF siang sians also got whacked by us at Britannia Club.
Out of Bounds to All Ranks except Military Police.
Our HQ just next to it.
Wah Piang, at the Gates of the Insignia LION stands on duty like the Taiwan Guards at the Sun Yat Seng Mausoleum.
Our dogs units brought discipline and fear to the Tekong NS Recruits.
Our now SOC or Special Command black ants fearing wimps just needs ten to twelve German Shepard to patrol LITTER India and you shall see how peaceful it will become.
Wow Uncle Virgo
Still so proud of your olden days red top ah.
Yes ,olden days soldiers found not putting on headdress or button undone at bus stop will laojio when approach by the MP.
But sadly nowadays I can see outriders in MP uniform but standing on one leg at expressway.
Standard drop.Gone are the days.
Cannot expect PO to be like MP.
They have too many item to carry and even need to put on extra belt to hold the item.
Whatever ,bottom line is that a uniform man ,whichever organisation, need to gain respect and not fear.
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