Singapore diplomat among nine cases involving immunity reported in the UK in 2023

A Singapore diplomat was named in one of nine serious offences involving diplomatic immunity reported in the UK in 2023, according to a statement by Catherine West, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific, on 14 November. The allegation concerned cruelty to or neglect of a child. The case was among a list of serious and significant offences brought to the attention of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) by law enforcement agencies, including the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection division.

Details of the offences

The reported offences involved individuals entitled to diplomatic or international organisation-related immunity and included:

• Possession/distribution of indecent images of children: Iraq (1 case).
• Driving without insurance: Fiji (1), Pakistan (1).
• Assault: Ghana (1), Libya (1), Mongolia (1).
• Sexual assault: Libya (1).
• Indecent exposure: Portugal (1).
• Cruelty/neglect of a child: Singapore (1).

These incidents are considered serious, as they carry potential penalties of 12 months’ imprisonment or more or involve significant offences such as child neglect or driving without insurance. In the UK, cruelty to or neglect of a child is primarily governed by Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. The law defines child cruelty and neglect as actions or omissions by a parent, guardian, or caregiver that cause unnecessary suffering or harm to a child. Cruelty to or neglect of a child can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years if convicted. Penalties vary depending on the severity of the case, the harm caused, and whether the offence involved deliberate intent or gross negligence.

UK government’s stance

The FCDO stressed that the vast majority of the 26,500 people entitled to immunity in the UK abide by the law. However, it takes all allegations of illegal conduct seriously. Catherine West reiterated that the government does not tolerate breaches of UK law by diplomats or their dependants. In such cases, the UK seeks to have immunity waived by the individual’s home government or international organisation. For severe offences where immunity is not waived, the UK requests the immediate withdrawal of the individual. TOC has written to the MFA, requesting clarification on the identity, diplomatic status, and role of the individual involved, the MFA’s response to the allegation

Singapore's approach to accountability

The involvement of a Singapore diplomat in the UK case follows a separate incident earlier in 2024 involving former Singaporean diplomat Sim Siong Chye in Japan. Sim was fined 300,000 yen (US$1,909) for secretly filming a 13-year-old boy at a Tokyo public bath, among other acts of voyeurism. Sim, then serving as a counsellor at Singapore’s Embassy in Japan, committed the offences while holding diplomatic immunity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated on 2 May that it was prepared to waive his immunity to facilitate investigations. Following the conclusion of his posting, Sim voluntarily returned to Japan to cooperate with authorities.