Singabloodypore

 
Dear President Nathan,
 
I am writing to bring a challenge that would require great courage on your part.  It relates to the death penalty case of Yong Vui Kong, the 22-year-old who may be executed this Friday, 4 December. All the international community of anti-death penalty campaigners know that you have turned down his appeal. But I am asking you now to respond by reversing your earlier rejection of his appeal.   The whole world is turning against the death penalty, recognising that it is ineffective as a deterrent and that mistakes are increasingly shown to have been made. Why not be the President who moves Singapore into what is now the mainstream of international thinking on executions? I hope in my heart that you have the strength to do what is right.    
 
Today, November 30, is called the Cities for Life Day, the day when over one thousand cities worldwide (includng nine in Canada) turn the lights on to illuminate  a monument to show their opposition to executions, which they regard as a relic of the past.  The death penalty is, of course, just one of the serious human rights violations for which Singapore is known.  But I believe change will come to Singapore and one day Singapore will be among those Cities for Liife. For change is inevitable in any country.Over the past 30 years and more,  profound changes have taken place worldwide. Eastern Europe, South Africa, Latin America,  the Philippines, South Korea, and Cambodia are just a few of the countries where courageous human rights defenders and their country's leaders have brought about developments that for decades had lived only in their  dreams.  In some cases, former prisoners of conscience themselves became  presidents. 
 
Singapore has its own growing -- though still small -- group of human rights campaigners. They are honoured worldwide.  Some were detained without charge or trial for up to 20 years,  the longest-serving imprisoned or restricted in one form or another for over 30 years. Is it not time for Singapore to recognise and welcome them into the mainstream of political life? Why not encourage Singaporeans -- many of whom are now too afraid to speak out in the country's shameful climate of fear  -- to say openly what kind of Singapore they want for the future? Why not have freedom of expression? Why continue with the ruinous defamation suits?  Why not join the vast international move to abolish the death penalty?  Why not repeal the Internal Security Act? Why not abolish caning?  Is it possible that your own name will be associated with the courage to start the turn to a very different Singapore?  Or will your name remain in history as another president who turned a blind eye to repression?  
 
Yours respectfully,
 
Margaret John
Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia
Amnesty International Canada  

 

DIRECT YOUR APPEALS TO:
His Excellency SR Nathan
Office of the President
Istana, Orchard Road
Singapore 0922
Fax:   011 65 6735 3135
Email:  s_r_nathan@istana.gov.sg
Salutation:  Your Excellency

AND COPIES TO:
His Excellency Yong Guan Koh
High Commissioner for Singapore
c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanglin
Singapore 248163
Fax:   011 65 6474-7885
E-mail:  yong_guan_koh@cpf.gov.sg
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The Straits Times
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