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17/07/2008
Letter to Law Society of Singapore
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From Chia Ti Lik's Blog
The 19 Accused
C/o 24 Peck Seah Street
#05-09/11 Nehsons Building
Singapore 079314
16th July 2008
Mr. Michael Hwang
President, Law Society of Singapore
Dear Sir,
APPEAL FOR PRO BONO LEGAL REPRESENTATION
We are the 19 Singaporeans charged for allegedly participating in an assembly and procession without permit near Parliament House on 15th March 2008.
We had as citizens claimed our right to peaceful assembly and presented ourselves before Parliament House to speak out against the multitude of ill-timed price hikes initiated by the Government, which have exacerbated the inflationary situation and cost of living for Singaporeans.
On 11th July 2008, we were all charged each with one count of assembly without a permit and one count of procession without a permit.
In light of the price hikes further initiated from the 15th March 2008 till today, it is clear that this Government remains unwilling to take active steps to make life less unbearable for all Singaporeans.
In the light of the decision to charge us for speaking up as citizens, it is clear that this Government will not hesitate to silence citizens by discouraging citizens from exercising the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Any stifling of civil and political expression by citizens is unhealthy for Singapore and it breeds contempt of the citizenry by the Executive which in turn leads to brazen disregard of citizens’ welfare in the policies practiced.
A government must be subservient to the People. This government cannot act unchallenged when it tries to restrict the fundamental liberties of Singaporeans.
The Laws of a country should be enacted to further the interests of the People and cannot be used to throttle civil and political expression.
Citizens have rights only slaves have no rights. Singapore Citizens are entitled by citizenship to fundamental liberties guaranteed by our constitution.
In view of the above, the Law Society of Singapore, being the body that represents our defenders of justice must assist citizens who are prosecuted by the State for exercising their fundamental liberties and cannot just stand idly by and be content to do nothing.
We hereby urge the Law Society of Singapore to step forth to arrange for legal representation for the 19 of us.
Yours faithfully
Chia Ti Lik
For and on behalf of the 19 Accused:
Chee Soon Juan
Chee Siok Chin
John Tan Liang Joo
Ghandhi s/o Karrupiah Ambalam
Jeffery George Seelan s/o Palay
Muhammad Jufri Bin Mohd Salim
Lim Teck Hee Sylvester
Chong Kai Xiong
Surayah Binte Akbar
Lang Chin Kah Carl Coca
Ng E-Jay
Francis Yong Chu Leong
Chia Ti Lik
Go Hui Leng
Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood
Govinda Rajan s/o Surian
Yap Keng Ho
Muhammad Shafi’ie Syahmi Bin Sariman
10:29 Posted by soci | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: Law Society, Legal Representation, Singapore
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