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31/05/2007
Singapore Activists Face Police Harrassment & Intimidation
Listen to this article Message of defiance from Singapore activists
Resolute in the face of police intimidation
30 May 07
Several activists have been called up for questioning by the police for standing up for their rights of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly last year.
Fifteen local democracy advocates attended police investigations in the past several weeks to answer questions on their participation in two events: the World Bank-IMF meeting in September and on International Human Rights Day in December.
Despite the harassment, however, these human rights defenders remain defiant. In a signed statement as well as video-taped messages, the advocates reiterated their commitment to establishing their political and civil rights of Singaporeans.
The police have made outrageous allegations that the advocates have committed offences such as "counseling disobedience to the law", "holding an assembly and procession without a permit", and even "incitement to violence".
In Sep 06, seven activists took part in a protest at Hong Lim Park during the World Bank-IMF meeting, calling for freedom of speech in Singapore. They were stopped by the police which turned the event into a 72-hour standoff.
On 10 Dec 06, several advocates conducted a Freedom Walk down Orchard Road to mark International Human Rights Day.
This is the first time that a group of Singaporeans have courageously stood up for their rights and they remain resolute in the face of police intimidation. They responded with dignity by going to the police stations to face the investigators.
They even called on fellow Singaporeans to step forward and join them in their fight against the despotic PAP Government (see video). They also made appeals to the international community to pay attention to the continued repression in Singapore.
The group's action will shine the spotlight on the PAP which is running out of ideas on how to improve Singapore and resorting to desperate measures to silence a population which is becoming more assertive.
The latest police action signals a regime increasingly at odds with the people it rules and it is a clear indication of a Government that is insecure and lacking in confidence.
One of the activists, Mr Jeffrey George, who is a staunch advocate of democratic values and practices, said: "Singaporeans must not be cowed by this bullying. We must show that our right to democracy and freedom is inalienable, it cannot be taken away from us."
Mr John Tan, another democracy advocate, added: "I challenge the Government to live up to the pledge our children recite in school everyday, that is, to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality."
Mr Tan questioned how could Singaporeans feel proud when citizens "are hauled up for being patriotic?"
"How can we feel at home when we do not have basic human rights such as the freedom of speech and expression?" he asked. "The freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble are fundamental to the very definition of democracy. They are the elements that either make us a free people or a nation of slaves."
Express your support for these courageous citizens who have found their voice and are standing up to the PAP. Write them a message of solidarity and encouragement (speakup@singaporedemocrat.org).
It is our duty to speak up, 30 May 07
We, the undersigned, are being questioned by the police for taking part in political activities on 16 September 2006 and 10 December 2006.
We are Singaporeans exercising our sacred rights and speaking up for the rights of our fellow citizens.
We object to being harassed by the Singapore Government and reiterated our stand that as citizens its is our duty and responsibility to speak up and hold our Government accountable. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We oppose the repressive measures of the ruling Peoples’ Action Party which continues to use laws to prosecute citizens for exercising our freedoms of speech and assembly.
We call on democracy defenders to denounce the anti-democratic stance of the Singapore Government and to support the cause of democracy in Singapore.
Signed,
Gandhi Ambalam
Chee Siok Chin (Ms)
Chee Soon Juan
Chong Kaixiong
Jeffrey George
Johnny Hoe
Isrizal
Kirat Kaur (Ms)
Monica Kumar (Ms)
Priveen Suraj
Gerald Sng
John Tan
Charles Tan
Tan Cheng Poh
Teoh Tian Jing
Yap Keng Ho
Francis Yong
15:45 Posted by soci in Politics | Permalink | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: Singapore
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Dear Coppers,
Whatever happened to "protect and serve"? Don't you understand that you are the people standing between a threat to person and property of citizens and crime? Don't you understand that your role is to protect the peaceful citizens from being harmed by those who would choose to initiate force for personal gain?
Why have you allowed yourselves to become PUPPETS of *unlawful* and downright intolerable action? Have you no shame, and where is the DIGNITY of being part of law enforcement?
Just for one moment, forget about the rights of others, and forget about being a cop. Consider your being purely from a human perspective. Why are you ALLOWING yourself to be MANIPULATED into BULLYING people? People who have done NO HARM, except express their *opinion*.
Supposing these folks had no rights... who that make what you are doing "moral" or "ok", or do you have some sort of INTERNAL COMPASS which guides your actions... or are you just an automaton to be willed to do the bidding of the state apparatus?
However these people DO have rights, and they are are constitutionally described. You know that. You know these people HAVE rights, but yet, you prefer to QUIT your good judgement and SENSE OF JUSTICE to obey the orders of those who presume to have "authority" over us, even "authority" over laws all of us are *supposed to* comply with. And when you do so, you TRAMPLE all over the rights and the lives of *non criminals*, in fact they are *law abiding* (constitutionally correct) citizens. What you are doing is morally wrong, and worst of all illegal. Yet you still do it!
Redeem yourselves now, whilst there is time. When police or the army turns on peaceful citizens, something is very, very wrong with that society and the way that it is governed.
Consider your actions, carfeully. Ask yourself whta the long term consequences are.
Bon Chance!
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 03/06/2007
I'm so glad our police has been alerted and is now investigating these people who are inciting violence. Singapore needs only one voice and one view, that of the PAP. Singapore chosen elites are chosen after many interviews and tests. With them leading Singapore, all Singaporeans need to do is sit back relax and these PAP men will work for our interests. Anyone who says otherwise is definitely trying to create disaffection and hence inciting violence.
I'm glad our police has acted objective and professionally in this case. Although the actions of these young people may be seen as innocent idealism, it takes a very alert police force to extrapolate that all this can lead to violence.
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