(Photo credit: Ministry of Law)
Pro Bono SG to Host Inaugural Access to Justice Symposium Focused on Invisible Disabilities in the Legal System
SINGAPORE, 26 March 2025 – Pro Bono SG will host its inaugural Access to Justice (A2J) Symposium on 26 March 2025, focused on addressing legal challenges faced by persons with invisible disabilities. The symposium brings together stakeholders from key sectors, including enforcement, judiciary, legal, medical and social services, as well as the community to discuss critical intersection of invisible disabilities and the justice system. The event will be graced by Guest of Honour Mr. Edwin Tong SC, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, along with Special Guest Mdm Halimah Yacob, former President of the Republic of Singapore.
Through a series of panel discussions, the A2J Symposium aims to improve access to justice for individuals with invisible disabilities, through developing practical solutions, and fostering ideas and innovations, including best practices, in a multi-stakeholder forum.
The panel discussions will be complemented by experiential breaks designed to immerse participants in the realities faced by a person living with an invisible disability navigating Singapore’s justice system. Virtual Reality (VR) will be used to provide participants with a first-person perspective of experiencing situations while living with an invisible disability.
Mr. Edwin Tong SC, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, supports the symposium’s broader goal of promoting access to justice for those with invisible disabilities: “Our vision for an inclusive Singapore is one where there is access to justice for everyone, particularly the vulnerable members of our community. This includes ensuring that our justice system is fair, accessible and responsive to the needs of all members of our community, including those with invisible disabilities.”
Ms. Peggy Sarah Yee, Chairperson of the A2J Organising Committee, adds, “The A2J Symposium was born out of a recognition that the justice system must evolve to effectively address the distinct challenges faced by individuals with invisible disabilities. We all have a social responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. As legal professionals, we have a responsibility to ensure that these individuals are not disadvantaged or misunderstood within the criminal legal system. Bringing together a broad spectrum of the relevant stakeholders, this Symposium provides a crucial platform to facilitate conversations, develop practical solutions, exchange best practices, and ensure an inclusive and accessible justice system for all.”
The A2J Symposium will cover various critical issues, including:
- The impact of invisible disabilities on criminal justice, the current system’s effectiveness and the need for better awareness and mechanisms to better serve these groups.
- The need for investigator training and refined protocols to ensure fair treatment of individuals with invisible disabilities in investigations.
- The need to reconsider rehabilitation, treatment, and punishment approaches in light of invisible disabilities.
- The influence of mental health definitions on prosecutorial discretion and potential legislative changes.
- The boundaries of criminal liability for individuals with invisible disabilities and the role of mental impairment in legal defences.
- The potential benefits of specialised judicial approaches and psychiatric input in handling individuals with invisible disabilities within the criminal justice system.
This symposium is a key part of Pro Bono SG’s ongoing mission to enable access to justice for the vulnerable and disadvantaged through legal awareness, guidance and representation. In collaboration with our community partners and volunteers, Pro Bono SG contributes to nation-building. As Singapore celebrates SG60 and reflects on its journey towards inclusivity, resilience, and care for all members of society, this symposium embodies the spirit of SG60 by fostering a more inclusive and accessible justice system for all Singaporeans.