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Calling
for free speech in Singapore
Police
surround the activists at Hong Lim Park
Distributing
leaflets on Human Rights Day
John
Tan distributing human rights leaflets
outside the police
station when he was called
for questioning
Teoh
Tian Jing (left) and John Tan posing
outside the station
before their appointment
with the police
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Media Release:
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).
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