Function 8 regrets and deplores the manner in which Amos Yee, aged 16 is being treated by our judicial system.

Amos Yee was arrested on 29 March 2015 and interrogated for two days before being charged in court for insulting Christianity, publishing an obscene sketch and hurting the feelings of a family. The last charge was withdrawn after his conviction on 12 May.  Though convicted, Amos Yee has not been sentenced. His days in remand has to date exceeded any prison sentence that would have been imposed on any adult who is found guilty of such crimes. By 6 July, when Amos Yee completes his two weeks of remand in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), he would have served 53 days (including 2 days under interrogation) in remand.

We view with alarm and dismay the manner in which our judiciary deal with the issue of bail, raising bail bond from $10,000 to $20,000 and $30,000 and then reverting to $10,000 again without any justifiable reason. The imposition of onerous conditions such as the removal of published video and sketch before trial amount to a forced admission of guilt. Such conditions have nothing to do with the likelihood of Amos Yee absconding bail which is the sole reason for setting bail amounts.  It is a misuse of judicious power.

We are also deeply disappointed that our judicial system does not take into consideration the youth of Amos Yee and the nature of the offence when considering sentence. If imprisonment is not a suitable sentence, the judiciary has completely ignored the fact that being in remand in prison and IMH for 53 days is punishment worse than serving sentence in prison.

Finally and most importantly, we view with deep concern the fast deteriorating physical and mental health of Amos Yee throughout his continuous period of remand. We are informed that he suffers from insomnia and no longer spends time stimulating his mind with reading books and having conversations with his cell mates. He suffers from depression and has contemplated suicide.

We call for the immediate release of Amos Yee. Fifty-three days in remand is unlawful pre-sentence punishment and is unacceptable.  Enough is Enough.