FORUM-ASIA is concerned about the recent arrest of political dissidents for offences against former premier Lee Kuan Yew and court proceedings in Singapore; and has communicated with the Special Rapporteur on the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression regarding this incident.
The impact of the biased judgments and defamation suits has a chilling effect on the country's democracy and presence of free public and political debate.
More Violations against Human Rights Defenders in Singapore!
(Bangkok) FORUM-ASIA is concerned about the recent arrest of Gopalan Nair and related convictions of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leaders, Dr. Chee Soon Juan and Siok Chin Chee, for offences against former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and court proceedings in Singapore.
Gopalan Nair, a former Singapore citizen and now U.S. citizen came to Singapore on 25 May 2007 to observe the SDP’s defamation trial on 27 May 2008. He was later arrested on 30 May 2008 and held without bail after circulating an email to the media and Singapore’s attorney-general’s office which was also posted on his blog: singaporedissident, allegedly accusing Justice Belinda Ang for being biased towards the plaintiffs during the SDP’s trial. Nair was charged on 2 June 2008 for “threatening, abusing or insulting a public servant” and challenging the judicial system in Singapore and is now serving a seven day term in jail until further notice.
This incident flags grave concern for human rights defenders and those seeking to enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and opinion in Singapore as this case is also directly related to the defamation suit against the SDP leaders. FORUM-ASIA has already written to the Special Rapporteur on the protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression regarding this incident to express its concern and urgent need for intervention to request the government of Singapore to respect fundamental human rights of the freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press.
Meanwhile, the defamation suit against Dr. Chee and Chin was brought forward by Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, for an article that allegedly compared the running of Singapore to a charity scandal which was published by the SDP in its newsletter in 2006. The matter was awarded to the plaintiffs in a summary judgment where no trial took place. Justice Belinda Ang has found both Dr. Chee and Chin guilty of contempt of court and sentenced them to prison for 12 and 10 days respectively. Their sentence began on 4 June 2008.
The use of defamation suits by ruling party officials severely curtails freedom of expression and speech in Singapore. FORUM-ASIA believes that with the continuance of such practices, there will be no democratic voice in Singapore and political contestation of power will remain stunted. In line with international law and principles, it is important to recognize the importance in a democracy of open criticism of government and public authorities, and the ample means available to public authorities to defend themselves from criticism. Further, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders provides the right to seek, obtain, receive, and hold information relating to human rights, and to unhindered access to and communication with the public.
These recent cases in Singapore call for urgent action from the international community and human right groups to support those who are struggling to bring freedom, justice, and democracy to the island-nation. The impact of the biased judgments and defamation suits has a chilling effect on the country’s democracy and presence of free public and political debate. This apparent trend is a grave violation against the freedom of expression and opinion of human rights defenders in Singapore.
To download the press release and full report of the communication to the Special Rapporteur, please go to FORUM-ASIA.
For more information, please contact: Emerlynne Gil, Human Rights Defenders Programme Manager, [email protected].
