Singabloodypore

To: Singapore/Malaysia Network

Friends,

Please note that the information below is for the most part reported information, not validated by Amnesty International, and does not necessarily represent AI's concerns or positions. Further information, corrections etc are always welcome.


Margaret John
Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia

Singapore:

The March election in Malaysia raised questions about the possibilities for political change in Singapore. The Star wrote "For younger Singaporeans who want political change the defining March 8 general election in Malaysia has come as an encouragement and morale booster....In fact, there has already been a psychological impact on some Singaporean minds that if it can happen there [in Malaysia], it can surely happen here. Some 33% of Singaporeans voted opposition in 2006". The Star wrote that Singaporeans watched with amazement the "sweeping impact of the worldwide web in shaping public opinion in Malaysia" (19/4)

Human rights defenders -- despite persecution -- continued to take action and encouraged Singaporeans to overcome their fear and speak up. Leading opposition party members were increasingly engaged in extending their international involvement and impact. Issues of wealth and poverty became more pronounced. Singapore again opposed UN moves toward abolition of the death penalty. The Law Society of Singapore set up a committee to promote greater awareness of human rights.

Human rights concerns include:

- Four offenders face imminent execution;

- Dr Chee Soon Juan and colleagues faced further difficulties through the courts;

- Singapore's leaders were seen as taking no steps to loosen state control over the media, films and the Internet;

- Two offenders were sentenced to be caned;

- Singapore was repeatedly reported as providing financial and other support for Myanmar.


General:

AI and other NGOs urged the ASEAN countries to take steps to implement human rights reforms via the new ASEAN Charter. Dr Munawar Anees again addressed the issue of Islam's place in the world and the need for inter-religious discussion, understanding and cooperation. Calls came worldwide for real change in Asia regarding the whole spectrum of human rights


SINGAPORE


DEATH PENALTY: Against the tide

Singapore again made it clear that executions will continue,

What is the campaign all about ?

Over 170,000 migrant women come to Singapore to work as Foreign domestic workers. 1 in 6 families hire a foreign domestic worker (FDW). Most come from Philippines and Indonesia but there are also FDWs from Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India. They are vulnerable to being exploited due to their poor economic backgrounds, lack of education and displacement from their communities.

Too many FDW are deprived of basic human and labor rights. The Day off Campaign aims to improve the situation for domestic workers in Singapore. Why a ‘Day Off’?

The key message of this campaign is an appeal to employers to ‘Give your Maid a regular day off’.

A Sunday Times poll in 2003 revealed that only half of FDWs have a regular day off. And of those who do get a day off, only a lucky minority receive one day off a week.

We believe a day off is important because of the following reasons:

1. A day off is a basic Labour Right. Domestic Workers are not currently included in the Singapore Employment Act that guarantees a day off a week by law for other employees.

2. A day off improves morale and productivity of the employee and the working relationship between employer and employee

3. A day off gives FDWs the opportunity to use their free time to learn new skills, acquire knowledge and be empowered as individuals

4. FDWs are productive individuals who make an extremely valuable contribution to Singaporean society and like any other worker, they should be accorded a day off

Who is behind this campaign?

The campaign has been created and is being delivered by three partner organizations namely, UNIFEM Singapore, Home & TWC2

Each organization is working in partnership to reach as many people as possible with information about what they can do to help improve the lives of domestic workers.

29th April 2008 press release (pdf).

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