Editing Politics of Singapore (section)

===Judicial system and rights===
{{See also|Human rights in Singapore|Law in Singapore}}

Although Singapore's laws are largely inherited from [[English common law]] due to its history as a former colony of the [[British Empire]], the PAP government is also critical of fully embracing [[liberal democracy|liberal democratic values]], which it typifies as a "[[Western world|Western]] concept" and claims that there should not be a 'one-size-fits-all' solution to a democracy. 

For example, laws restricting [[freedom of speech]] exist to prohibit speech that may breed ill will or cause disharmony within Singapore's [[Demographics of Singapore|multiracial]], [[Religion in Singapore|multi-religious]] society. For example, in 2005, three [[blog]]gers were convicted of [[sedition]] for posting [[Racism|racist]] remarks targeting minorities.<ref>{{cite news| title= Third racist blogger sentenced to 24 months supervised probation | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/180127/1/.html | publisher=Channel NewsAsia | date=23 November 2005}}</ref> In 2021, a former [[Ngee Ann Polytechnic]] [[senior lecturer]] was sentenced to five weeks' jail and a $6,000 fine for making racist remarks to an inter-ethnic couple in public.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shiying |first1=Wong |title=Ex-Ngee Ann Poly lecturer gets jail, fine over racist remarks, having obscene films |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ex-ngee-ann-poly-lecturer-sentenced-to-5-weeks-jail-6000-fine-for-making-racist-remarks-having-obscene-films |website=The Straits Times |access-date=17 April 2025 |language=en |date=29 December 2022}}</ref>

[[Public demonstrations in Singapore]] are tightly controlled under the Public Order Act, requiring police permits for public gatherings. Even at the designated [[Speakers' Corner, Singapore|Speakers' Corner]], strict rules apply. The government justifies these controls as necessary for maintaining public order and harmony in a multi-ethnic society, but critics argue that the laws severely limit freedom of expression and assembly.

In addition, some offences that could be deemed as minor crimes in other countries such as [[vandalism]] can lead to heavy fines or [[Caning in Singapore|corporal punishment]] (caning). In addition, [[capital punishment in Singapore|the death penalty]] for [[murder]] and [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]] remains in force. Critics have also accused the PAP of ruling Singapore like a [[nanny state]], making Singaporeans having a sheltered perspective of the world.