On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Singapore LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Singapore country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Singapore COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Singapore.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Singapore is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Singapore is not party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
The national asylum and refugee legislation and procedures in Singapore are absent. UNHCR may conduct registration and refugee status determination remotely for asylum seekers in Singapore and undertake the search for durable solutions. However, refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR do not benefit from legal status in Singapore.
Refugees and asylum-seekers who enter and/or remain in Singapore irregularly may be prosecuted and held in detention prior to deportation unless UNHCR is provided with access and a third-country solution is identified for them.
Legal aid organisations
We have not yet identified any NGO or law firm that offers refugees legal assistance in Singapore. We would welcome suggestions for individuals or organisations. If you have any suggestions, please get in touch.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Facebook
Email: mathildaho.afrsg@gmail.com
Contact Person: Mathilda Ho
AFR-SG is a volunteer-led ground up movement established in 2015, in response to the Andaman Sea Crisis. AFR-SG’s mission is to promote the humane and dignified treatment of refugees and forcibly displaced persons, through awareness campaigns, areas of research and partnerships to support and empower refugee communities in the region.
AFR-SG does not provide legal advice on seeking asylum. For information, Singapore is not signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or relating protocol, and does not have a known asylum process. Asylum seekers may be deemed as illegal migrants if they outstay the validity of their visa.
Website
Email: Jolovan.home@gmail.com
Contact Person: Jolovan Wham
HOME is an organisation that looks into the needs of the migrant community in Singapore. HOME believes in upholding the dignity of the person, the dignity of work and the dignity of life and that these are fundamental human rights. HOME assists migrant workers through our help desks, legal aid services and shelters. In addition, HOME is involved in public education initiatives, conducts research, runs skills training programmes, and rights-based education workshops. ‘We can only provide shelter and limited legal advice for refugees and space for shelter is scarce, but we try our best.’
Singapore LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Singapore.
Singapore COI
Find Singapore Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023