Transformative Justice Collective

From PoliticalSG

The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC)[1] is a Singapore-based organization dedicated to rethinking and reforming the country's criminal justice system, with a primary focus on abolishing the death penalty.

Founded on the principles of transformative justice, TJC aims to address systemic issues within Singapore's punitive framework.

Mission and Objectives

TJC's mission encompasses several key areas:

  • Social Support: Providing assistance to families of death row prisoners and individuals incarcerated or in conflict with the law.
  • Information Sharing: Consolidating and disseminating information related to death row and the death penalty in Singapore.
  • Public Education: Enhancing public understanding and discourse around the death penalty and drug control policies.
  • Movement Building: Mobilizing a community advocating for the abolition of the death penalty and promoting a public health approach to drug issues.
  • Human Rights Advocacy: Championing the rights of prisoners, particularly those on death row.

Key Activities and Campaigns

TJC engages in various initiatives to further its mission:

  • #StopTheKilling Campaign: Launched to call for a moratorium on executions and an independent review of Singapore's death penalty regime. The campaign includes collecting signatures for a public petition and engaging with parliamentarians to advocate for policy changes.
  • Public Events and Education: Organizing events such as "TJFest! Breaking Chains: Towards Gentler Futures" to foster discussions on justice reform and alternatives to punitive measures.
  • Court Reporting and Research: Observing and reporting on court proceedings to provide insights into the judicial process, and conducting research on prison conditions and the impact of punitive policies.

Recent Developments

In August 2024, TJC was issued a correction direction under Singapore's Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) concerning statements made about the treatment of death row prisoners. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that TJC's article and social media posts contained false statements regarding the scheduling of executions and the prosecution of drug trafficking charges.

Despite such challenges, TJC continues to advocate for systemic changes in Singapore's criminal justice system, emphasizing restorative and transformative approaches over punitive measures.