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30/10/2009
SINGAPORE -- Dr Chee Soon Juan: prison again?
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Friends,
Dr Chee Soon Juan, prominent Singapore opposition critic and human rights defender, once again faces a likely prison term. The very least we can do is protest human rights violations in Singapore, especially as they affect Dr Chee and his colleagues. Would you please respond promptly to the following appeal -- and of course inform me if there are any government answers.
As I write to you today, I have read reports of Law Minister K Shanmugam and Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong addressing the New York Bar Association and dismissing international criticism of Singapore's judicial system and concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression. Undoubtedly, however, the New York Bar is aware of the International Bar Association's very critical report on Singapore. (There is also a report of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew 's visit to the US. During a gala dinner given in his honour he was given an award for his contribution to US-Asean relations.)
With all good wishes,
Margaret John
Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Canada
SINGAPORE -- Dr Chee Soon Juan: prison again?
Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party, has again been sentenced to imprisonment or a heavy fine. He was convicted on two counts under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act for speaking in public without a permit during the 2006 election and was sentenced in September 2008 to a total of S$10,000 or 10 weeks in jail. As a bankrupt, he is unlikely to be able to pay the fine. He is appealing the sentence. A total of eight similar charges were filed against him. Dr Chee has already served some seven prison terms related to exercising his right to freedom of expression.
In his defence, Dr Chee pointed out that the charge of not having a permit is a "red herring", as the authorities have stated that no permits will be issued for outdoor political events. He also argued that the Singapore Constitution guarantees his fundamental right to enjoy freedom of speech and expression.
Government leaders repeatedly claim that Singapore laws do not violate human rights and are rooted in Singapore values. However, Amnesty International has long expressed concern about the Singapore government's misuse of laws such as the Defamation Act to curtail freedom of expression and penalise those who peacefully criticise the ruling People's Action Party, with a resultant climate of fear across the country.
The Public Order Act was enacted earlier this year to limit public assembly so that political gatherings outside a designated zone known as Speakers' Corner would require a permit, regardless of the number of people involved. Critics saw the law as directed at Dr Chee specifically as well as at other opposition activists, particularly prior to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November involving world leaders, including Canada's Prime Minister Harper. US President Barack Obama will also attend.
TAKE ACTION:
Please write to Singapore's President:
- Express your concern that government critics and human rights defenders such as Dr Chee Soon Juan and his colleagues continue to be penalised for the non-violemt expression of their beliefs;
- Refer to the repeated imprisonment of Dr Chee, his most recent sentence and the charges he still faces;
- State that the government's welcome promise to build an "open society" would be advanced by ending the misuse of laws such as the Defamation Act and the Internal Security Act;
- Urge that Singapore review its laws so as to meet its international human rights obligations.
TO:
His Excellency S R Nathan
Office of the President
Istana, Orchard Road
Singapore 0922
Fax: 011 656 735 3135
Email: s_r_nathan@istana.gov.sg
Salutation: Your Excellency
COPIES TO:
Mr Koh Yong Guan
High Commissioner to Canada
c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tanglin
Singapore 248163
E-mail: yong_guan_koh@cpf.gov.sg
Fax: 011 65 6474 7885
Salutation: Your Excellency
| For further information: Margaret John Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia Malaysiasingaporecoordinator@ | |
11:18 Posted by soci | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: singapore, dr chee, prison
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Libertad de expresión ara Chee Soon Juan
Posted by: Daniel Perez Creus | 07/11/2009