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Seizing Dictatorial Power
17-Nov-2001
Misadvised by a frustrated and panic-stricken attorney general, a president of the United States has just assumed what amounts to dictatorial power to jail or execute aliens. Intimidated by terrorists and inflamed by a passion for rough justice, we are letting George W. Bush get away with the replacement of the American rule of law with military kangaroo courts.

Asian Human Rights Commission Urgent Appeals Programme
21-Sep-2000
Aceh killings require proper investigation.

Human Security vs Human Rights
19-Oct-2000
We've all heard of "Human Rights" and "Human Responsibility" (a term coined by PM Goh), but what of "Human Security" 25 people, all whom came by way of personal invitation, attended this workshop.

Nobel Peace Prize, North Korea and Democratic Principles
23-Oct-2000
In the moment of his greatest personal triumph President Kim Dae-jung once more demonstrated his magnanimity. "I return all my honour to the people and the citizens of the world, who love democracy and human rights", the President was quoted as saying.

JBJ Creditors Backoff for Now
07-Nov-2000
J.B.Jeyaretnam's creditors have agreed to accept his offer of monthly payments of $20,000 until he has paid the approximately quarter of a million Singapore dollars he owes.

East Timor Conference
28-Oct-2000
The Fourth Asia-Pacific Conference on East Timor (APCET 4) on November 26 to 30, 2000 (Sunday to Thursday) in Baucau, East Timor. The conference will be historical on two counts: first, after three conferences, held respectively in Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, it will be held for the first time inside East Timor; and secondly, it will be held in an independent Timor Loro Sae. The conference is organised by the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor. Think Centre will be sending representatives to observe the meeting.

Acehenese Victims Hold Meeting
29-Oct-2000
Victims and victim's families of human rights violation in Aceh will hold a congregation in the province capitol city, Banda Aceh,on November 4-6, 2000. This event called "Kongres Korban Pelanggaran HAM Aceh" (Gathering of the Victims of Human Rights Violation in Aceh).

Bankrupting the Opposition in Singapore
30-Oct-2000
Bankruptcy Proceedings (against JB Jeyaretnam) instituted by: Nirumalan K Pillay, Indra Krishnan, V Krishnasamy, Samy Verasamy, Pakir Maideen, A R Mashuthoo, Naseer bin Ghani and V R P Manickam.

Fighting for Rights in Malaysia
01-Nov-2000
The following touching message comes from Irene Fernandez, Director of the Malaysian women's organization Tenaganita, who has been charged with publishing "false information" in her report on ill-treatment of illegal foreign migrant workers held in detention camps. She has made about 250 court appearances so far, and there has been court testimony by victims from the camps.

Goh Chok Tong Says No Need for Human Rights Commission
05-Nov-2000
Singapore's PAP Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said the Republic does not need a Human Rights commission because his government does not abuse human rights. However if someone wants to form one its up to them.

Protestors in Malaysia Arrested!
07-Nov-2000
More than 120 people, including several women, have been arrested during a peaceful demonstration in support of jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. They are believed to be held incommunicado, denied access to lawyers and their families, and they are at risk of ill-treatment.

A National Working Group on Human Rights for Singapore?
10-Nov-2000
The Asean Regional Human Rights Mechanism representatives will once again be meeting with some Singaporeans to discuss the formation of a national working group here. Similar meetings have been held in the past but nothing concrete has come of it. The general feedback to the regional mechanism has been "the time is not right". Will the time be right this time? Read on to find out more....

The right(s) perspective
13-Nov-2000
Salbiah Ahmad a Singaporean lawyer based in Kuala Lumpur looks at human rights development in Malaysia. Her article offers food for thought at the state of affairs in Singapore.

Think Centre to attend 'Human Rights and Foreign Policy' Conference in United States
14-Nov-2000
Anbarasu Balrasan co-ordinator of Think Centre's Human Rights Section is heading to the United States on an International Visitor Program on a series of conferences entitled "Human Rights and Foreign Policy" from 14 Nov-10 Dec. There will be four legs to the program.

Eliminate Torture in Asia!
15-Nov-2000
The following is the declaration on elimination of torture in Asia by participants at the seminar organized by the Religious Groups for Human Rights - of a Programme of Asian Human Rights Commission.

The first Human Rights Working Group Meeting
20-Nov-2000
The first Human Rights Working Group Meeting took place on 16 Nov 2000. Those attending included, Ms Dana Lam (President of AWARE), Ms Halijah Mohd (VP of AWARE) Dr K. Soin (President of UNIFEM, Singapore), Mr. Sinapan Samydorai (Director, Think Centre) Mr. Alvin Tan (Director, TNS, Mr. Tan Chong Kee (Chief Editor, Sintercom), Mr Simon Tay (Chairman, SIIA) and Mr Goh Chien Yen (Researcher, SIIA) and those absent with apologies: Ms Claire Chiang, Dr Kevin Tan and Mr Zulkifli Baharudin.

Celebrating Kim Dae-jung in Norway
21-Nov-2000
President Kim Dae-jung is obviously more popular abroad than he is within his own country. This impression I have gathered over the past years, discussing Korean politics with many people both in Korea and beyond the shores of the peninsular.

A Step Backwards for Human Rights!
24-Nov-2000
After a period of 4 years, 2 men have been executed in Malaysia according to an Amnesty International report on 22/11/2000!

INDONESIA - Impunity continues after 35 years
26-Nov-2000
A mass grave containing at least 24 victims from the 1965-66 massacre has been uncovered in a forest near Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia. Digging at the site began on 16th November, and further bodies were still being discovered when the excavation had to end at 5pm on the 18th.

Sex trade and exploitation in Batam & Bintan
04-Dec-2000
TANJUNG PINANG, Indonesia (AP) - From the mangrove swamps and jungles of Indonesia's Riau Islands, Singapore's steel and glass skyscrapers are visible on the horizon - gleaming symbols of another nation's wealth.

United Nations’ Commission on Human Rights gives Think Centre the Thumbs Up
10-Dec-2000
In the last leg of conference in the USA, we toured the United Nations and were given a descriptive and informative lecture on the United Nations Human Rights Machinery. The lecture was presented by Mr. Onijamae, a young Japanese working in the Commission of Human Rights. The lecture showed how the Commission works and some of its successes and also discussed the issues of peace, democracy and human rights. Some of the controversies of the tensions of human rights were also discussed.

Nobel Peace Prize and the Korean Dream
12-Dec-2000
In a certain way Kim Dae-jung has achieved all he has aspired for in his long and at times tumultuous political career: he won the Presidency of the Republic of Korea, he travelled to Pyongyang to be the first South Korean head of State to meet the North Korean leader, and - on top of all this - he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, without any doubt the most prestigious of all international political distinctions. In spite of all this, if you engage in a political dialogue with Koreans these days you will quickly sense disappointment, yes even apathy and aversion regarding the man, who may well be termed South Korea’s most prominent citizen.

Fear of Ill-treatment Towards Prisoners of Conscience
14-Dec-2000
More than 120 people arrested on 5 November during a peaceful demonstration in support of jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have been released on police bail. They do not yet know whether they will be charged.

Commemorating Human Rights Day in Singapore For the First Time
15-Dec-2000
Human rights activists from two political NGOs, the Open Singapore Centre and the Think Centre, gathered in Hong Lim Park (Speakers’ Corner) to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10. Not surprisingly, however, the PAP-controlled media portrayed the event as nothing more than a "whimper."

International Appeal of Solidarity on the 1965/1966 Massacres in Indonesia
19-Dec-2000
This report is part of a world-wide campaign to publicize the activities of the Indonesian Institute for the Study of the 1965/1966 Massacres (in Indonesian, Yayasan Penelitian Korban Pembunuhan 1965/1966, abbreviated as YPKP). The aim of the Institute is to contribute to current efforts to restore the truth about the Indonesian massacres of 1965/1966, when between two to three million innocent people were wantonly slaughtered by military forces or military recruited forces, all of which were led by General Suharto. The Institute is dedicated to breaking the silence about the massacres, a silence imposed and assiduously maintained for more than 30 years by Suharto's military regime.

Death Penalty: Information needed on Death Sentence and Execution Statistics in Singapore this year
20-Dec-2000
In October the Straits Times reported that narcotics officers had made their biggest haul this year when they caught a drug trafficker -- a 45- year-old cleaner-- and a younger client. The younger man had five one-kilo blocks of cannabis in a plastic bag. The older suspect led narcotics officers to a vacant house where they found another 154g of cannabis. Both men will face the death penalty if convicted.

SUARAM: 10,OOO ISA Prisoners over 40 Years
23-Dec-2000
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM),a human rights NGO, said in October that, for the 40 years the ISA has been in force, 10,000 have been detained under it.

South Korea - Hunger Strike to Abolish the NSL
24-Dec-2000
UA 43/00: 'It’s time to abolish the National Security Law.' "Fifty-two years is more than enough. It’s time to abolish the National Security Law."

UPDATE: Hunger Strike in South Korea is still going on
08-Jan-2001
Dear Friends, We would like to send you the following protest letter which was signed by many of civic and human rights organizations in South Korea. As you know, more than 20 human rights and civic activists in South Korea have been on a hunger strike to abolish the National Secrurity Law (NSL) and to establish an effective National Human Rights Commission outside of Myungdong Catholic Church since December 18, 2000.

Reform Of The Criminal Investigations And Prosecutions Systems Is The Real Key To Reducing Crime In Sri Lanka
12-Jan-2001
The recent decision of the Sri Lankan government to re-introduce the death sentence adds to the already very bad human rights record of the country.

Freedom to Peaceful Assembly against Blasphemy Laws, Release the Peaceful Protesters - Pakistan
16-Jan-2001
Fr. Arnold Heredia (60), former Executive Secretary of the Committee For Justice & Peace Karachi, was among 17 protestors arrested and detained In Karachi at 4.00 p.m. on 10 January, 2001. As of the time of writing, An application for their release on bail has not been accepted. Two other Christian laymen, Aslam Martin and Riaz Nawab, are among the detainees.

Violation of Human Dignity And Freedom of Expression in Vietnam
21-Jan-2001
Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, a prominent dissident in Vietnam, was recently harassed by the government. This time he was humiliated by a mock people's court trial. This is a new way to violate human dignity and freedom of expression.

Singaporean activist summoned over demonstration
07-Feb-2001
A civil rights activist in Singapore says he's been summoned to report to a police station over a demonstration backing free speech.

Burma: Parliamentarians should be Freed
29-May-2001
(New York, May 25, 2001) Human Rights Watch today released detailed information on eighty-five Burmese parliamentarians who were elected in May 1990 and still remain in prison or in government "guest houses." May 27 marks the eleventh anniversary of the elections, the results of which the military government has refused to acknowledge.

Australian Human Rights at All-time Low: Amnesty
31-May-2001
Australia's human rights reputation had reached a historic low,Amnesty International said in a report released today.

No Human Rights Violations?!
31-May-2001
The Amnesty International (AI) Report 2001 documents human rights violation during 2000 in 149 countries and territories. Read what it has to say about the human rights situation in Singapore.

Police Intimidation at Davos
29-Jan-2001
26 January 2001-The Secretary General of Amnesty International has today urged the Swiss authorities to guarantee freedom of expression at Davos following the attempted deportation of Adam Ma'anit, a representative of a Dutch nongovernmental organization who was due to speak at a debate on business ethics.

NGOs hand protest letter to Swiss President
30-Jan-2001
Sixteen nongovernmental organisations, including Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Oxfam, have today written to the President of Switzerland to express concern at the Swiss authorities' response to protests at Davos. The meeting of the World Economic Forum has been marred by the arrest and intimidation of people engaging in peaceful demonstrations.

SRI LANKA -More torture, but still no convictions under 1994 Torture Act
07-Feb-2001

SINGAPORE: Death Penalty - Julaiha Begum (f), aged 52, faces imminent execution after her appeal for presidential clemency has been denied.
10-Feb-2001
Julaiha Begum, an ethnic Indian born in Singapore, was sentenced to death in March 2000 for the murder of her husband, T.Maniam, in April 1999. She and her two alleged accomplishes, who were also sentenced to death, had appealed against their sentences to the Court of Appeal, but their appeals were rejected in late 2000. Last week, the President, S.R. Nathan, reportedly denied Julaiha Begum clemency. She is likely to be executed by hanging shortly. Her lawyer has not yet been informed of the date of execution, but executions are usually carried out at dawn on Fridays.

UN must give status to Dalit World Conference : INDIA
- Social exclusion based on work and descent
13-Feb-2001
We received the following Appeal from the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, and are forwarding it to you all for your action. Dalits (meaning 'oppressed') are the group of some 160 million people in India formerly known as 'Untouchables', who STILL suffer extreme discrimination, exploitation and violence simply because they were born into an 'outcaste' family. The UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discriminatino, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (WCAR) will be held in South Africa in August, and now that Slavery and Apartheid have been destroyed, it is time the world turned its attention to the terrible discrimination faced by Dalits.

INDONESIA - Denial of Right to a Nationality
16-Feb-2001
More than 100 stateless people in the Tegal Alur slum in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, have appealed to the government to grant them Indonesian citizenship. All of the stateless people are Chinese migrants who lead meager lives, mostly working as laborers, fishermen or vendors. Many of them were born in Cengkareng and have given birth to children there.

Letter-writing appeal for Malaysian Detainees
16-Feb-2001
Dear Friends,We would be very grateful if you could manage to get some letters sent to the M'sian government expressing concern for the arrest and detention of the men listed below.With thanks,Margaret John Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia, Amnesty International Canada

Suu Kyi warming to rights seminars
20-Feb-2001
Ms Aung San Suu Kyi had softened her opposition to Australian human rights seminars for officials of Burma's military regime, the former human rights commissioner, Mr Chris Sidoti, said after talks with the democracy campaigner.

Khatami, Foreign Dignitaries Call For an End to Discrimination, Racism
26-Feb-2001
TEHRAN Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami here yesterday conferred with world prominent figures and reviewed the latest developments in the world. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson met with President Khatami on Wednesday where she underlined the significance of dialogue among civilizations. Alluding to the Asian Conference on Racism held in Tehran, the president stressed the need for campaign against racism.

Indonesia: The Violence in Central Kalimantan (Borneo)
28-Feb-2001
(New York, February 28, 2001) - The violence in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, started on the night of February 17-18 when a Dayak house was burned down. Rumor spread that an ethnic Madurese was responsible, and immediately, a band of Dayaks went into a Madurese neighborhood and began burning houses. In the ensuing violence, a Dayak and a Madurese were killed. This sent the clash to a new level, and in a matter of days, the violence had spread to Kualakayan, a subdistrict 110 km north of Sampit, and to Palangkaraya, the provincial capital of Central Kalimantan, some 220 km away.

J B Jeyaretnam
02-Mar-2001
There will be a hearing on March 2: an application for the Bankruptcy Order to be suspended pending the hearing of the appeal in about three months.

CHINA: Growing Income Disparity 'Threatening Development'
13-Mar-2001
The widening gap between rich and poor is threatening social stability and economic development, according to Chinese lawmakers and advisers.

INDIA: Man killed for urinating
13-Mar-2001
NEW DELHI: A retired colonel was arrested on Saturday afternoon for allegedly killing a 40-year old man who was urinating near the boundary wall of an Army colony.

Annual Report on Religious Freedom 2000
15-Mar-2001
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, the following report is on religious freedom in Singapore.

Report on Human Rights Practices in Singapore
09-Mar-2001
The following report was released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, February 2001.

Malaysia: Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor should be released
08-Mar-2001
Malaysian opposition activist Mohamad Ezam Mohamad Nor, who is being held in incommunicado detention, is at risk of ill-treatment and should be immediately released, Amnesty International said today.

Urgent Appeal for International Attention
19-Mar-2001
Since late 1998 under the pressure from democratic governments and international human rights organizations, the government of communist Vietnam has released a number of prisoners of conscience after years of brutal imprisonment.

Opening Statement By UN High Commissioner For Human Rights
20-Mar-2001
The following is the opening statement by Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), at the 57th session of the Commission on Human Rights which began its meeting in Geneva on 19 March and ends 27 April 2001.

Indonesia: President Must Act to Establish Rights Tribunals
24-Mar-2001
Human Rights Watch today urged Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid to issue a presidential decree establishing special human rights courts.

Commission on Human Rights Continues to Hear
27-Mar-2001
The Commission on Human Rights this afternoon (23.03.01) continued its debate on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, with speakers giving special emphasis to the forthcoming World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Several speakers said that the upcoming World Conference against Racism would offer the opportunity to intensify the fight against racism and xenophobia. The resurgence of racism in different forms, particularly in the developed world, was also highlighted by some speakers who underlined the need to fight the phenomenon of racism which was mainly directed against foreigners.

Let Singaporean Voices Be Heard
04-Apr-2001
Suaram, a leading human rights organisation in Malaysia, condemns the Singapore government's recent harassment and intimidation launched against James Gomez, Kevin Liew and the Think Center who exercised their completely legitimate fundamental rights to freedom of statement and freedom of assembly.

91 Universities / Schools Demand Release of Burmese Dissident
17-Apr-2001
Move Follows Sodexo Marriott's Multi-Million Dollar Loss Over Burma Ties

Debate on Right to Development
30-Mar-2001
The Commission on Human Rights this afternoon (28/03/2001) opened its debate on the right to development after concluding its discussion on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination.

International Mechanisms for Promoting Freedom of Expression - Joint Statement on Racism and the Media
08-Apr-2001
The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OAS Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression sumbit this joint statement.

NGOS Allege Violations of Civil and Political Rights
10-Apr-2001
A series of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) speaking before the Commission on Human Rights this evening charged that violations of civil and political rights were occurring in numerous countries and regions.

Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial Executions, Freedom of Expression, Arbitrary Detention Address Commission on Human Rights
09-Apr-2001
Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial executions and freedom of expression and the Chairman-Rapporteur of its Working Group on arbitrary detentions described developments over the past year as the Commission began its annual discussion on the state of civil and political rights around the world.

Human Rights Committee Commemorates Twenty-Fifth Anniversary
01-Apr-2001
The Human Rights Committee met this afternoon (26/03/2001)to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the entry-into-force of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Update on Human Rights violations in Vietnam
02-Apr-2001
Introduction - On July 13rd, 2000, Vietnam signed the landmark Trade Agreement with U.S.A.. This event could be seen as a step toward the liberalization of the Vietnamese economy which may impact on the Vietnamese civil society. In reality, the Vietnam’s human rights record remains appalling, and restriction of freedom still prevents the country to comply with international standard.

ISA Arrests in Malaysia
20-Apr-2001
Once again the Malaysian government has invoked the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) to silence peaceful opposition, Amnesty International said calling for the immediate release of at least seven activists arrested today.(* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *11 April 2001*)

3 Acehnese Activists Seek Refugee Status at UNHCR in Bangkok
23-Apr-2001
Jakarta-Three Aceh activists from a student-led nongovernmental organization in the Indonesian province Aceh are seeking refugee status from the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Bangkok, saying their safety is under threat, an Indonesian evening newspaper said Thursday.

U.S. Loses Seat on U.N. Rights Commission
04-May-2001
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States was voted off the key U.N. Human Rights Commission on Thursday for the first time since it helped found the body in 1947 to probe abuses around the world. The United States came in fourth with 29 votes in balloting for three seats allocated to Western nations that were up for re-election. France received 52 votes, followed by Austria with 41 and Sweden with 32 in a secret ballot among members of the Economic and Social Council, the parent group for the 53-member human rights commission.

Justice Hishamuddin's Order: Present ISA Detainees In Court
08-May-2001
Together with Malaysians who support the rule of law, Aliran heartily welcomes the judgment of Justice Datuk Hishamuddin Mohd Yunus who ruled in the Shah Alam Hight Court on Thursday, 4 May 2001 that ISA detainees must be present in court for hearings on their habeas corpus applications. While presiding over the habeas corpus applications filed on behalf of Abdul Ghani Harun and N Gobalakrishnan, J. Hishamuddin unequivocally ruled that ISA detainees have both a legal right and a constitutional right to be protected under the law.

More Open Singapore: Have we not heard all this before
08-Jan-2004
I see DPM Lee is saying he will continue to open up Singapore. Have we not heard all this before. Goh Chok Tong said it when he assumed office.

Singapore: High execution rate shrouded in secrecy
16-Jan-2004
More than 400 prisoners have been hanged since 1991 in Singapore. "It is the cold-blooded killing of a human being by the state in the name of justice, and violates one of the most fundamental of all human rights: the right to life," says Amnesty International in a statement, describing the number of executions in Singapore as "shockingly high".

Human Rights Violations Through Judicial Corruption
13-May-2001
One of the formulators of the concepts of universal human rights, John Locke stated in 1690, "Where law ends, tyranny begins.…" Nowhere is this more true than in Indonesia today, where the tyranny of a dysfunctional judicial system is felt on a daily basis.

New Violations of Human Rights in Vietnam
18-May-2001
On Wednesday, May 16, Vietnamese authorities detained Father Nguyen Van Ly, a Catholic priest and a strong defender of religious freedom in Vietnam. One of his courageous actions is to post a banner in front of his church, "Freedom of Religion or Death".

Reformasi Activists Under Detention: ISA is the Refuge of the Incompetent
26-May-2001
The seven ISA arrests on April 10-11, an eighth on April 20, a ninth on April 24 and a tenth on April 26, are unconscionable acts committed by a regime that is at its wit's end. When a regime resorts to draconian laws such as the ISA to curb lawful dissent, the regime is merely one step away from overtly using violence against all dissidents. Such desperate acts show a regime's inability to deal with problems in a normal sort of way and betray its incompetence.

Indonesia: First Execution in Five Years - A Step Back!
27-May-2001
The recent execution of two men -- the first in five years in Indonesia -- is a retrograde step and a flagrant violation of the right to life, says Amnesty International.

Bangkok Declaration
15-Aug-2000
The Asian Intergovernmental Meeting Bangkok 29 March to 2 April 1993.

Joint Communique of the 26th Asean Ministerial Meeting 23-24 July 1993
15-Aug-2000
The Twenty-Sixth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held in Singapore from 23 to 24 July 1993.

The Rabat Declaration - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
15-Aug-2000
Fifth International Workshop for National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (Rabat 13 - 15 April 2000).

The Paris Principles
15-Aug-2000
Principles relating to the status of national institutions.

China: Tiananmen Square -- still on the agenda
05-Jun-2001
Twelve years after the brutal killing of hundreds of unarmed citizens in Beijing following the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, the Chinese government continues to ignore pleas for justice from relatives of the victims and the international community, Amnesty International said today in a new report ahead of the anniversary of the massacre on 4 June.

ISA Update: Latest news from Malaysia
06-Jun-2001
Human rights activist, Badaruddin Ismail is released today by the police at 2.10pm, 5 June 2001. The police informed his family to go to Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters at 1.45pm this morning. Read on for the this and other latest updates...

Fears over returning East Timor refugees
07-Jun-2001
East Timorese languishing in Indonesian refugee camps were asked yesterday if they wanted to stay or go home as aid agencies warned that those who opted to go home faced violent retaliation from the militias who control the camps.

States that have Formulated their Landmine Banning Policies
16-Jun-2001
View a list of these countries below.

States that have NOT Formulated their Landmine Banning Policies
16-Jun-2001
View a smaller list of these countries below. See who's among them!

Burma Still Using Forced Labor
15-Jun-2001
(New York, June 12, 2001) Burma has continued using forced labor even though it officially banned the practice more than eight months ago, Human Rights Watch charged today.

The Intrinsic Fallibility of All Criminal Justice Systems
18-Jun-2001
Governor Frank Keating of Oklahoma should halt executions in his state, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the governor released today (16/6/2001). Recent reports that an Oklahoma City police forensic scientist may have offered misleading and improper testimony in a number of capital cases underscore the need to reconsider the death penalty.

Exxon Mobil Sued in U.S. Court for Human Rights Abuses in Indonesia
24-Jun-2001
The International Labor Rights Fund sued Exxon Mobil Corporation in US District Court for the District of Columbia, yesterday, on behalf of seven men and four women from Aceh, Indonesia.

Sharon Investigation Urged
28-Jun-2001
A criminal investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon´s role in the massacre of civilians in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla should be launched, Human Rights Watch urged today (23/6/2001). The Israeli leader will meet on Tuesday at the White House with President Bush.

China: Now It's Up to the Olympic Sponsors
13-Jul-2001
(New York, July 13, 2001) -Human Rights Watch said that today's selection of Beijing as the site for the 2008 Olympics put a major burden on the International Olympic Committee and the Games' corporate sponsors to make the Games a force for change in China.

Acehnese Activists Arrested at Exxonmobil Boycott
14-Jul-2001
Acehnese students organized a big protest againts ExxonMobil in Banda Aceh on Wednesday, July 11, 2000. Around 100 victims and activists participated in the demontration in Simpang Lima Square and Peunayong. They protested for the accountabilty of ExxonMobil abuses in Aceh by supporting Indonesia military.

Jakarta Arms Aceh Militias as Toll Soars
25-Jul-2001
Indonesia has started forming East Timor-style militias in oil- and gas- rich Aceh, where scores of civilians are being murdered under the cover of a brutal crackdown against separatist rebels, say Acehnese leaders and human rights workers.

Human Rights to Remain on Powell's Agenda in China
27-Jul-2001
Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, said today that in the wake of the release of three Chinese scholars with American links charged with spying, human rights issues would still remain high on his agenda with senior officials when he visits Beijing this weekend.

Sharon Halts Belgian Visit Fearing War Crime Arrest
04-Jul-2001
The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, has cancelled a planned visit to Belgium this week after the Brussels State Prosecutor's office ruled he could be indicted on war crime charges.

European Parliament Deplores the Use of ISA in Malaysia
06-Jul-2001
In a resolution dated 14 June 2001, the European Parliament (EP) has deplored the use of the Internal Security Act by the Malaysian autorities. Read on to find out what the EP has got say about the ISA which is also applied in Singapore.

Year Zero At Last for Cambodian Butchers
16-Jul-2001
Surviving leaders of Cambodia's murderous Khmer Rouge regime will stand trial for genocide and crimes against humanity in the next year after parliament yesterday backed establishment of a unique tribunal in co-operation with the United Nations.

The Release of Aung San Suu Kyi: A Dilemma for Whom?
20-Jul-2001
"It appears that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be freed soon," a Western journalist who recently returned from Burma told a Burmese dissident leader living in exile. If true, it would be a welcome sign from the talks in Rangoon. But the Burmese leader was skeptical. He had heard similar rumors in the past. These days, facts are a rare commodity, while rumors about the dialogue between the Burmese generals and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi continue to circulate as freely as Burma’s nearly worthless currency.

Judicial Jitters for Mahathir
11-Aug-2001
It was to have a been a simple occasion, a casual dinner on a balmy Sunday evening at an open-air restaurant in a Kuala Lumpur suburb. The wives and children of six Opposition activists who have spent four months imprisoned without trial under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) were joined by a few dozen friends keen to share their anguish and show solidarity.

Annan: Civil Society Must Hold Governments to Agreements on Anti-Racism Measures
02-Sep-2001
Civil society must work actively with governments in following up on the agreements that will be made at the upcoming United Nations anti-racism conference to ensure that the meeting's outcomes were implemented, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in Durban, South Africa.

Suhakam’s findings: Mahathir’s response betrays his desperation and confusion
24-Aug-2001
Aliran congratulates the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) for a job well done. We are particularly happy that their findings have confirmed what the victims of police brutality have been accusing the police of since the Kesas Highway episode.

Backgrounder on Aceh
25-Aug-2001
Mid-1970s after huge natural gas reserves were discovered, blatantly unequal distribution of revenue drawn from the exploitation of these resources contributed to the formation of Gerakan Aceh Merdeka (GAM - Free Aceh Movement) in 1976 and open resistance to central government.

Acehnese Position and Indonesian Wild Culture
25-Aug-2001
War and the violence never solved a conflict comprehensively. These are not just words but the mission that we have to promote, lobby for, and apply to solve all conflicts in the world for all the need of mankind and our noble existence. So we in Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA), a civil and people organization that is still consistently organizing the Acehnese national struggle for a democratic and peaceful referendum on Aceh self-determination, do not believe that the war that is currently waged in Aceh and the accompanying violence may result in the ending of the political, security and humanitarian conflicts that have taken so many lives and caused so much suffering to the innocents.

Inevitable Ring to the Unimaginable
17-Sep-2001
Inevitably, terror breeds terror and more fanaticism. People are neither still, nor stupid. They see their independence compromised, their resources and land and the lives of their children taken away, and their accusing fingers increasingly point north: to the great enclaves of plunder and privilege. What has this to do with this week’s atrocities in America? If you travel among the impoverished majority of humanity, you understand that it has everything to do with it.

The Die is Cast - But it Will Be a Long War
19-Sep-2001
I do not agree with the political orientation of this source, but you may be interested to read the following analyses of Bush's proposed first war of the 21st century. You can never be sure with information on the web but this piece is purportedly from the DEBKA-net-newsletter, an expensive intelligence newsletter out of Israel. This is said to be a real "must-read", put together by intelligence experts -not always on the money but far better stuff than you'll read in the papers. You be the judge.

Endless War?
03-Oct-2001
The assault on the World Trade Center was horrific, despicable, and unpardonable, but it is important not to lose perspective, especially a historical one. For a response that is dictated primarily by fury such as that now displayed by some American politicians, while understandable, is likely to simply serve as one more proof for Santayana's dictum that those who do not remember history are bound to repeat it.

One by One, Aceh's Activists are Eliminated
03-Oct-2001
Indonesian forces have been more brutal in Aceh than in East Timor, writes George Aditjondro.

USA: HRW Q&A on International Law
18-Oct-2001
Human Rights Watch [HRW] believes that international standards of human rights apply to all people equally, and that sharp vigilance and timely protest can prevent the tragedies of the twentieth century from recurring. HRW avoids evaluating whether the launching of a given war is either lawful or just, in order to maintain their neutrality and authority in analyzing the way wars are fought under international humanitarian law. Like the International Committee of the Red Cross, HRW mandate in wartime focuses on the conduct of war, or jus in bello, rather than the legitimacy of war, or jus ad bellum.

New ASIO Powers Threaten Democratic Rights
18-Oct-2001
"New Powers: * ASIO to get powers of arrest and detention for up to 48 hours; * the removal of the right to silence when under questioning; * the creation of terrorist offences and related legislation violating the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. In the understandable fear generated since the September 11 attacks and with the climate of war, fundamental civil liberties are under threat. The [Australian] Federal Government, backed by Labor, has announced substantial new powers for Australia’s spy agency ASIO and is proposing anti-terrorism laws that could violate basic rights and freedoms. In Australia, support for the East Timorese’s independence movement could have been banned."

Indonesia: Government Setup Team to Fight Trafficking of Women
20-Oct-2001
Indonesia decided Wednesday to set up an interdepartmental team to handle several campaigns aimed at halting flourishing trafficking which commonly target women and children for the sex trade. The move comes in the wake of a U.N. evaluation that ranked Indonesia as one of the worst countries at handling human trafficking. "Indonesia, according to the U.N., has been included in the third grade with its poor commitment and regulations on the issue," said Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla. "We've been named a supplier and transitory country for human trafficking."

Malaysia: Arrest of 48 'Politically Motivated'
28-Oct-2001
27 October 2001 - Reform movement Aliran condemned the arrest of 48 people during an anti-ISA gathering in Kamunting, Perak, saying the arrests were politically motivated. Aliran president P Ramakrishnan said the arrests showed that the authorities were determined "to throttle whatever little democratic space that may be available". Aliran is troubled that peaceful citizens are arrested without a just cause.

Malaysia: The ISA is an Instrument of State Terror
28-Oct-2001
This paper was presented at the Forum on ISA - National Security Law organised by Suaram in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 25. On the 14th anniversary of Operation Lalang which saw the arrest of 107 opposition leaders, religious, social, academicians and environmental activists and the shutdown of The Star, Sin Chew Jit Poh and the now defunct Watan for a few months.

Indonesia: Operating with Impunity
30-Nov-2001
November 28, 2001 - Anyone wondering why people in the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya and human rights activists immediately blamed the death of independence leader Theys Eluay on the Indonesian armed forces need only consider a little recent history.

Singapore: Amnesty International Report 2001
01-Dec-2001
Freedom of expression continued to be curbed by an array of restrictive legislation and by the effects of civil defamation suits against political opponents. At least 29 Jehovah's Witnesses were imprisoned during the year. Death sentences continued to be imposed and 21 people were executed. Criminal offenders, including juveniles, were sentenced to caning.

International Human Rights Day
08-Dec-2001
As we approach 10 December 2001, International Human Rights Day, human rights are under attack.

Getting Back Our Rights
10-Dec-2001
I do not believe in saying the sky is falling when it's only raining. We are, however, at a time in this nation's history when, as Republican congressman Bob Barr of Georgia, a certified conservative, says, there has been "a massive suspension of civil liberties in a way that has never been done before in our country. These changes are so vast and fundamental [that they] will likely set precedents that will come back to haunt us terribly."

Experts Remind States of Obligation to Uphold Fundamental Freedoms
19-Dec-2001
10 December 2001 - The following statement was issued today by 17 Independent Experts of the Commission on Human Rights.

Jehovah's Witnesses Out of Step on Call-up
31-Dec-2001
Incarcerated somewhere in Singapore are perhaps two dozen young men who have been deprived of their liberty for refusing to perform national service.

Indonesia Refuses to Drop its Aceh
09-Jan-2002
In a remote area of North Aceh, the month of December has been a living hell. An armed struggle for independence has been raging in Aceh, the most northwestern province in Indonesia, since 1976 between the ANSLF (Free Aceh Movement) and the security forces of the Republic of Indonesia.

Singapore Reports to UN Security Council
12-Jan-2002
On 20 Dec 2001, in compliance with a Security Council resolution, Singapore submits a detailed 16-page report to a United Nations counter-terrorism committee on its efforts against terrorism. Singapore is one of 113 nations that have complied with the Security Council resolution and has taken effective steps to crackdown on the financing and harbouring of terrorists and their supporters. Singapore report details various measures taken including the creation of a national security secretariat to strengthen coordination - and catalogues existing laws and policies. It reports on new and existing efforts regarding banking secrecy, intelligence and law enforcement capabilities, and its work with neighbouring nations to make the region safer. Read on.

Malaysia: We Will Not Settle For Crumbs
13-Jan-2002
"Even if you are peaceful, they will go after you as long as there is any form of gathering that is seen as protest against the government. The intention is to intimidate and discourage the people from rallying around any cause." Desmond Tutu: "I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights." Read on to know why?

Burma's Ethnic Groups Banned from Celebrations
13-Feb-2002
February 11, 2002— Burma's ruling military government has banned ethnic political parties from participating in tomorrow's Union Day ceremonies claiming the groups did not notify authorities early enough regarding their planned celebrations, according to ethnic leaders in Rangoon.

Worldwide campaign to end violence against women and girls
14-Feb-2002
Between Valentine's Day (V-Day) on 14 February and International Women's Day on 8 March, tens of thousands of Amnesty International student activists will be linking up with one of the most radical political, social and theatrical campaigns of 2002 - - the V-Day College Campaign to end violence against women and girls

Colin Powell Dissents
29-Jan-2002
WASHINGTON -- High officials at the White House, as well as at State, Defense and Justice, are having a hissy fit about the revelation in The Washington Times of a dispute within the Bush inner circle. What legal rights should be accorded to the terrorists — including some trained to be savage suicide-murderers — now being interrogated at our base in Guantánamo?

Malaysia Answers Question on ISA at 58th Session Commission on Human Rights
11-Apr-2002
On 9 April 2002 A Representative of Malaysia, speaking in right of reply, defence the country's Internal Security Act as the Commission Concludes the debate on the Question of Violations Anywhere in the World. Read an alternative view on the ISA detention from Amnesty International.

International Criminal Court a Reality
11-Apr-2002
(New York, April 11, 2002) Human Rights Watch today hailed the 60th ratification of the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty. At United Nations headquarters in New York, governments supporting the rule of law welcomed the establishment of the first permanent international tribunal to try those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The ICC was created because national court systems -- from Guatemala to Sierra Leone to Iraq -- have failed to provide justice to the victims of egregious crimes. The Court will take cases only when the national systems do not work.

Singapore Death Penalty Shrouded In Silence
12-Apr-2002
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - In the quiet pre-dawn hours of a Friday, someone could be on their way to the gallows in Singapore's Changi prison. But no one knows for sure.

Indonesia: Justice For East Timor Still Elusive
23-Feb-2002
Human Rights Watch called Indonesia's indictment today [February 21]of senior officials for crimes against humanity a positive development, but said serious questions remained about the government's commitment to accountability for the 1999 violence in East Timor.

SINGAPORE: ISA Detainees make representation to the advisory board
25-Feb-2002
The ISA Advisory Board will review the cases of the 13 Jemaah Islamiyah members detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for "suspected" terrorism-related activities. Think Centre believes that the detainees should have the opportunity to voice out in an open court, and the Court should decide if they are guilty or otherwise. But under the ISA, these detainees have been denied their right to an open and fair trial, the right to be presumed innocent before trial and the right to legal representation to defend themselves.

A Death Penalty-Free Zone: Council of Europe
27-Feb-2002
The Council of Europe affirms that death penalty is completely unacceptable. The Committee of Ministers on 21 February adopted Protocol No. 13, which bans the death penalty in all circumstances, to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Will there be a "Death Penalty - Free Zone in ASEAN? Think Centre hopes that the Singapore Government will ban the practice of death penalty in all circumstances. Taking the first step towards an ASEAN death penalty - free zone.

Singapore opposed the call for a moratorium on death-penalty
31-Mar-2002
April 2001, at the 57th session of the UN Commission of Human Rights, the European Union called for a moratorium with a view to abolishing the death penalty. EU hoped for an international consensus on the abolition of the death penalty. This was baffling to the Singapore delegation from the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Singapore in Geneva.

Hong Kong's Rights Observer Slams Singapore
02-Apr-2002
A Hong Kong rights activist on Tuesday criticised the defamation suits filed against bankrupt politician J.B. Jeyaretnam by government leaders and urged the island-state to allow for greater freedom of speech. "Its very nature is oppressive and unconscionable," said Albert Ho, who had been observing the court hearing of the defamation suits filed against Jeyaretnam on behalf of the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Indonesian Army Back to Old Ways in Aceh
06-Apr-2002
While on paper the Indonesian armed forces have stepped in line with the country's political reforms since strongman Suharto's ouster in 1998, the ground reality in the recent months suggests otherwise.

Malaysia's Dark Side Exposed
09-Apr-2002
Malaysia's dark side the human misery and climate of fear caused by its national security laws was exposed at a public meeting held at the UN Palais des Nations this afternoon [8 April 2002, Geneva].

Singapore Answers Question on Human Rights to the 58th Session Commission on Human Rights
09-Apr-2002
Singapore answers human rights violation questions raised by the Asian Legal Resource Centre. The Singapore Government answers in a letter through the Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations Office at Geneva. The letter is addressed to the Chairperson of the 58th session of the Commission on Human Rights. The Commission on Human Rights under ITEM 9: QUESTION OF THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS IN ANY PART OF THE WORLD deals with violations in any country.

Hong Kong Activist Can't Be Lawyer For Singapore Opposition Leader
18-Apr-2002
SINGAPORE, April 18- Singapore opposition leader Chee Soon Juan said Thursday the High Court has dismissed his petition to engage Hong Kong democracy activist Martin Lee to fight defamation suits here. Chee said Judicial Commissioner Tay Yong Kwang dismissed his petition on grounds that the case against him was not complex enough for him to engage a Queen's Counsel.

What Questions Singapore Answered at the 58th Session of the Commission of Human Rights
20-Apr-2002
What question did Singapore answer recently at the 58th Session of the UN Commission of Human Rights? The rely responsed to submissions made by the Asian Legal Resource Centre against the Singapore Government on the use of the Internal Security Act, prosecution and juridical system, defamation charges against opposition leaders and amendments to the Broadcasting Authority Act. Many may have read Singapore' reply - otherwise read on our Human Rights Watch column dated 9 April 2002 [click on Link].

Singapore Politician Vows To Stage May Day Rally
30-Apr-2002
SINGAPORE, April 30 (Reuters) - Embattled Singapore opposition politician Chee Soon Juan vowed on Tuesday to defy the city state's authorities by staging a May Day rally just outside the grounds of the president's office.

Police Slammed For "Overzealous" May Day Arrest
02-May-2002
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - A Singapore civil rights group has complained of police being rough and overzealous in the arrest of opposition politician Chee Soon Juan for holding a May Day rally without a permit. Chee was whisked away by officers outside the grounds of the president's office on Wednesday as he spoke to a small crowd.

Amnesty International Annual Report 2002
16-May-2002
This authoritative book bear witness to the human rights abuses suffered by people all over the world. It also reflects the creativity, determination and successes of the human rights movement. Filled with comprehensive, carefully researched information, it is an invaluable and trustworthy reference source. (Release Date: 28th May 2002)

China attacks TCHRD's participation in World Summit
24-May-2002
China has once again objected to the accreditation of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) to a World Conference. TCHRD has applied for accreditation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) to be held in Johannesburg in August-September, 2002.

Singapore: Asia's Gilded Cage
01-Jun-2002
Few States fly as far under the international community's human rights radar as Singapore. A prosperous, in many ways Western-style nation, Singapore is barely mentioned at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Occasional references to conscientious objection to military service and the death penalty aside, the Singaporean delegation sit smugly while their Asian neighbours face a barrage of NGO, and often State, criticism.

International Criminal Court Comes into Force
01-Jul-2002
Amnesty International welcomes the historic occasion today of the entry into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Rome Statute) and calls on all governments to become parties to the Rome Statute and actively support the International Criminal Court (ICC).

AUNG SAN SUU KYI CALLS FOR WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
01-Jul-2002
Burma opposition leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has called for the empowerment of women of Burma so that they may "shape not only their own destiny, but also the destiny of the nation".

Khmer Rouge trial back on track
04-Jul-2002
Cambodia has agreed to a compromise legal deal that raises hopes the United Nations will resume planning for a genocide tribunal that would try surviving leaders of the Khmer Rouge regime.

International Criminal Court: Immunity for peace-keepers is a set back for international justice
16-Jul-2002
Amnesty International is dismayed at the unlawful decision by all members of the Security Council to oblige the International Criminal Court (ICC) that seeks to exempt peace-keepers from prosecution. The Council acted on proposals initially introduced by the US, which opposes the ICC, and in close cooperation with the UK.

Concerns over intensified situation in Aceh
17-Jul-2002
Forum-Asia expressed its disagreement over Military Chief of the Aceh province Major General Djali Yusuf’s confrontational remarks who had openly vowede to use every military (violence) means to solve Aceh decade-long self-determination struggle.

SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN VIETNAM
29-Jul-2002
Today, July 23, 2002, the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus and the U.S. Congressional Dialogue on Vietnam has a joint members' briefing on "Freedom of Expression in Vietnam and the Vietnamese Government's Responses". This is a good opportunity for all concerned parties to review the situation of human rights in Vietnam in general and freedom of expression in particular. This is important in light of the new phase of US-Vietnam relationship -the phase of trade agreement implementation.

Powell Should Urge Accountability by Indonesian Military
02-Aug-2002
New York, July 31, 2002 — U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell should urge Indonesia to demonstrate effective civilian control of the military and take action to hold senior military officers accountable for human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a backgrounder released today.

Singapore / Malaysia - Human Rights News
04-Aug-2002
Margaret John, Coordinator for Singapore and Malaysia, Amnesty International Canada gives us the latest summaries of human rights news in Singapore and Malaysia (August 2, 2002).

Mary Robinson on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
04-Aug-2002
The Statement of (outgoing) High Commissioner Mary Robinson on Opening the 54th session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Geneva. She commented on the post september 11, especially on the risk posed to the promotion and protection of human rights by the growing number of anti-terrorism measures being adopted around the world needs to be recognised and addressed. Again, the Sub-Commission was prescient in asking at its last session for a preliminary working paper on military tribunals. Also relevant is the study on the rights of non-citizens. Terrorism will remain on the international agenda and on the agenda of the UN human rights system in the years to come. The question the Sub-Commission needs to ask itself is what more it can do to help guide further efforts in this new era.

Malaysia: Caning should be abolished
14-Aug-2002
Following the first caning sentences imposed under the tough new anti-immigration law, Amnesty International today urged the Malaysian government to rid the country of this cruel punishment.

Malaysia: Opposition leader silenced for another two years
14-Aug-2002
"The sentencing today of a detained opposition leader to two years imprisonment under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) is part of a pattern which has a wider chilling effect on freedom of expression in Malaysia," Amnesty International said. "The government's selective use of repressive laws against peaceful political dissenters is a well established practice."

Open Letter to Jimmy Carter
22-Aug-2002
An open letter to Jimmy Carter asking support for academic freedom in developing countries.

What Women Want
27-Aug-2002
As a nation we turned 37 this year. Our birthday wish should be that before we turn 40, women and men here can enjoy equal status at the workplace and in the home, and that no more questions be asked on the gender gap. Instead our role ought to evolve into highlighting discriminatory practices as the law would have been passed to ensure that equality is maintained between the sexes.

Asian People's Security Network launched
06-Sep-2002
The Asian People's Security Network (ASPN) was launched during the Asia-wide International Workshop held in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand from 22-25 August 2002. The participants coming from 50 human rights organisations in 17 countries and networks came together to assess the impact of 11 September on democratisation and the application of national security laws throughout the Asian region. Since the US declaration of the "war on terrorism" following the 11 September attack, national security laws in most countries in the region which have already entrenched a practice of illegality are being extended and reinforced. The participants were unanimous in urging governments and civil society organisations to pursue protest and preventive actions against he US led "war on terrorism" and in particular the planned US strike on Iraq. Moreover, the ASPN committed itself to promote and develop human security as an alternative to militarisation and the "war against terrorism". The workshop was co-organised by the Asian Human Rights Commission (Hong Kong), Forum Asia (Thailand), Suaram (Malaysia) and the Transnational Institute.

Malaysia: Scrap pre-school exams, Suhakam conference told
12-Sep-2002
Examinations have been an integral part of the education system in most Asian countries. However, questions on how children are negatively affected by a never-ending series of examinations are now being raised. This was among the issues keenly discussed at a two-day national conference on human rights education organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) which ended today.

Burmese Military Regime's Murderous Anniversary
19-Sep-2002
Perhaps there is a misunderstanding. Burma's democratic movement and the international community's call for the release of political prisoners in Burma, is for the freedom of political prisoners ALIVE, not dead. Altsean-Burma condemns the SPDC for the death of political prisoner U Aung May Thu. U Aung May Thu died at 5pm on Tuesday at Tharawaddy, a hard labor prison in Burma.

Malaysia: Rape is crime against women
29-Sep-2002
The policeman had raped two women,a Filipina aged 23 and an Indonesian aged 24, while in police custody, detained in a police lock-up. The judge said that "the sexual intercourse here seems to be voluntary, just like between husband and wife." So the learned judged set the "Cop free of rape" charges. Women's organisations are deeply disturbed by the grounds for the acquittal.

Uphold Rule of Law in Addressing Terrorism
02-Oct-2002
Participants representing fourteen (14) countries in Asia, gathered in a two-day strategy meeting to celebrate the coming into force of the first permanent International Criminal Court (ICC), and to address current attacks by the US to undermine the new Court which promises to prosecute the most heinous crimes. The ICC now has over eighty-one (81) ratifying States, including Asia's Tajikistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and East Timor.

Philippines: A bill to abolish death penalty
04-Oct-2002
President Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered all executions to be suspended indefinitely until Congress has debated a bill to abolish the death penalty.

Indonesia: Bali Attack Should Not Undermine Civil Liberties
19-Oct-2002
The Indonesian government’s response to the recent attack on civilians in Bali should not undermine the country’s already weak rights protections, Human Rights Watch said today.

Malaysia: Remand procedures grossly abused
19-Oct-2002
‘Rights of Remand Prisoners Report’ dated December 2001 by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) law review reform working group cited various instance of police abuses of the Remand procedures. Remand suspects have been barred from contacting their family members and friends, causing unnecessary emotional stress over their sudden disappearance. Personal inconveniences are also wielded on suspects with children and pets. Medical requirements may also not be fulfilled.

Question of Dr Chee's imprisonment to be raised in the European Parliament
04-Nov-2002
Mr Graham Watson, Leader of the European Liberal Democratic and Reform group in the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, had shown his concerns over the Singapore government's recent jailing of opposition leader, Dr Chee Soon Juan, for daring to hold a Labour Day Rally.

Malaysian Opposition Denounces Suspect's Re-Arrest
11-Nov-2002
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A Malaysian opposition leader accused the authorities on Monday of flouting the rule of law by re-arresting a suspected Islamic militant set free by court order.

Malaysia: High Court Judgement Reveals ISA Easily Abused
11-Nov-2002
Abolish ISA Movement (AIM) welcomes the judgement of Shah Alam High Court in allowing the habeas corpus application of Nasaruddin Nashir challenging his detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for allegedly involved in terrorist activities.

Life in Prison
14-Nov-2002
Dear friends and supporters, This is just a note to thank all of you for your support and help over the last few weeks while I was in prison. I am doing well although I have lost some weight as I was ill for the initial part of my incarceration. I want to give you a glimpse of prison life in Singapore and to highlight some deep concerns I have about the justice system here.

Singapore Human Rights Report 2002
18-Mar-2002
This is the full report by Think Centre which was submitted to the relevant rapporteurs at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights' session in Geneva from 18 March to 26 April 2002 by our President, Sinapan Samydorai.

HONG KONG: ARTICLE 23 OPENS THE DOOR TO REPRESSION
30-Nov-2002
NGO's are deeply concerned that the proposal to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law will lead to the deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. In particular, the rights of Hong Kong's people to freedom of _expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association and freedom of information will be threatened if the proposals become law.

Stripping Palestinians has Become Common Practice
29-Nov-2002
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (PC) - On Monday, November 25, Israeli soldiers ordered a young resident of the town of Nablus to strip completely naked in the street, according to Palestinian witnesses. Yasser Sharar, 25, was caught violating the curfew in Nablus and was stopped by Israeli soldiers at gunpoint, who immediately ordered him to remove his clothes.

Japan: Abolition of Death Penalty Diet Members League
02-Dec-2002
On 29 November 2002 Amnesty International welcomed the initiatives taken by the Abolition of Death Penalty Diet Members League and Japanese Bar Association to bring the issue of the death penalty to public debate.

Subversion Law Seen Turning HK into "Police State"
05-Dec-2002
HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's controversial anti-subversion legislation will turn the freewheeling city into a police state, a human rights expert said on Wednesday. Frances D'Souza, a drafter of the Johannesburg Principles on human rights, said the proposed law seriously violated international rights standards and needed radical modifications.

ADVANCE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN
09-Dec-2002
Judges from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan and Singapore meeting in Bangkok recently called on countries to amend legislation to conform with their international legal obligation regarding the rights of women and children. The meeting held from 4 to 6 November 2002 at the United Nations Conference Centre was part of week-long conference focusing on the application of human rights law at the domestic level. Is Singapore's law in conformity with international legal obligations regarding the rights of women and children?

Indonesia: Whither human rights?
03-Jan-2003
Marking Human Rights Day as we do every Dec. 10, we in Indonesia have every reason to feel concerned about where we, as a nation, stand in our commitment to upholding the letter and spirit of 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Malaysia Abstains on Torture Protocol Vote
03-Jan-2003
Only three Southeast Asian nations had the moral courage to distinguish themselves by voting in favour of the Protocol, namely Indonesia, Cambodia and East Timor. We congratulate them for being receptive to the idea of international scrutiny and aligning themselves with ethical standards of behaviour. It is not surprising given the harrowing accounts of detainees' experiences under Internal Security Act and only confirms that the authorities are not prepared to forego harsh and cruel treatment of detainees. [ASEAN countries, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,Thailand, and VietNam abstain on Torture Protocol Vote]

MALAYSIA: Scrap the ISA Advisory Board
15-Jan-2003
If the government cannot honour the decision of the Advisory Board, if it continues to show scant respect to the rule of law, then what is the point in having the Advisory Board? What purpose is served in going through this charade? Let's scrap this meaningless and perverse provision.

SINGAPORE: UN CEDAW Concluding Observations and Comments
17-Jan-2003
The UN CEDAW Committee expresses concern about the lack of clear understanding by the Government of Singapore regarding gender mainstreaming with respect to legislation, policies and programmes.

White Paper on ISA arrests and the threat of terrorism
26-Jan-2003
Singapore has arrested 32 Jemaah Islamiah members since December 2001 under the Internal Security Act. The JI suspects were alleged to have plan to attack US interest in Singapore. The JI claim that the USA was "doing things against Muslims".

ICC Judges Election a Global Justice Milestone
11-Feb-2003
The first 18 judges elected to the International Criminal Court (ICC), a highly qualified and diverse bench, represent a major milestone on the road to the court’s opening, Human Rights Watch said. The ICC is the world’s first global court to try those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

"The world is getting fed-up of the SPDC's empty promises..."
25-Feb-2003
The State Peace and Development Council's recent statement calling for "constructive dialogue" with the United States of America is outrageous in the light of the junta's refusal to enter into "constructive dialogue" with the people of Burma.

Malaysia: Defend Freedom Of Expression
02-Mar-2003
Aliran, Hakam and Suaram jointly appeal to all concerned Malaysians to support urgently and generously the nation’s only independent newspaper, malaysiakini.com in its hour of need.

International Women's Day 2003
06-Mar-2003
Think Centre wishes all Women - Happy International Women's Day. March 8th commemorates women's rights and peace. In Singapore, IWD is not a public holiday.

War Would Be 'Catastrophic' for Iraqi Children
16-Mar-2003
War in Iraq would have devastating effects on the country's 13 million children, many of whom are already malnourished and living in "great fear" of another conflict, says the report of a Canadian-led, fact-finding team released Thursday.

The US is now, currently engaged in torturing people
22-Apr-2003
The US is now, currently engaged in torturing people in two different ways. One: making people stand on tiptoes, with their arms chained to walls, naked. Two: slapping them, and pistol-whipping them.

Malaysia: The Anwar Appeal
25-Apr-2003
The oral judgments of the Court of Appeal dismissing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s appeal ....reflects the state of the independence, impartiality and integrity of the Malaysian judiciary in politically sensitive cases.

HCHR deeply disturbed by killing of civilians and journalists
10-Apr-2003
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, is deeply disturbed by reports of the increasing number of deaths of civilians, as well as injuries, during the conflict in Iraq.

Judge dismisses Chee's appeal
11-Apr-2003
High Court Judge M P H Rubin has dismissed Dr Chee Soon Juan's appeal against Senior Assistant Registrar Toh Han Li's earlier decision to award Messrs Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong summary judgment.

Fear of Sars no excuse for draconian legislation
13-May-2003
Perhaps among democratic countries across the world, it may be the most active in molding, mandating and enforcing the behavior of its citizenry. And Singapore is not new to draconian legislation.

World Legal Experts Question Terror Laws
13-May-2003
The UN's Special Rapporteur on judicial independence Param Cumaraswarmy led the debate at the conference; he made a stinging attack on countries who he says are using the terrorism threat to justify crackdowns on their domestic political opponents.

Road map adopted for ASEAN Human Rights Commission
02-Jun-2003
`Road map' adopted for regional human rights body gives women, children priority. Asean has adopted a non-binding road map for a region-wide human rights commission and singled out cooperation on women's and children's issues as the first step.

AI Report 2003: Singapore
02-Jun-2003
AMNESTY International criticised Singapore's authorities for the continued use of Internal Security Act (ISA). "The ISA violates the right to a fair and public trial and the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law," said its report.

Singapore:
Indian migrant worker facing execution
20-Jun-2003
Indian migrant worker, Arunprakash Vaithilingam, facing execution in Singapore. Please appeal to His Excellency S R Nathan, President of Singapore, to commute the sentence. The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. It violates the right to life. It is irrevocable and can be inflicted on the innocent. It has never been shown to deter crime more effectively than other punishments.

USA: Wrong on Rights
31-Jul-2003
A powerful recourse for human rights victims is in danger, says Harold Hongju Koh, Professor of International Law at Yale University and former US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Malaysia: Is Capital Punishment Justified?
28-Aug-2003
Mistakes can and have been made and, in maintaining the death sentence, innocent people will be killed

Death penalty: The Unconstitutional Punishment
28-Aug-2003
SENIOR Counsel K.S. Rajah, a formal judicial commissioner, says it is time to reconsider the law that makes the death penalty mandatory for murder.

Was innocent man hanged due to procedure?
27-Sep-2003
When Mr Ravi asked the CJ if the public prosecutor was "still maintaining that an innocent man be hanged because of procedure", the CJ answered: "Yes, the answer is yes." Was Vignes Mourthi innocent? Was he hanged due to the legal procedures in Singapore?

Death Penalty: The Silence is Deafening and Disturbing
12-Oct-2003
Apart from media reports about the case of one Vignes Mourthi who was charged, convicted and hanged for allegedly selling drugs to an undercover officer, there has been not a word from members of the public.

Singapore probes serviceman's death - Physical Abuse
17-Oct-2003
Singapore's ministry of defence announced Thursday a high-level probe into the death of a national serviceman whose head was submerged in water during commando training.

COURT DISMISSES DEATH-ROW APPEAL
17-Sep-2003
In what was believed to be the first of its kind in Singapore, a Malaysian on death row managed to bring his case back to the High Court again on Friday [12 September 03] despite having his plea for clemency from the President rejected.

Computer Misuse [Amendment] Act
13-Nov-2003
The revised Computer Misuse Bill is like the ISA. It empowers the Minister to take pre-emptive action on any suspect. The offenders could be jailed for up to three years or fined up to S$10,000 ($5,800). The parliament passed the Bill on 10th November 2003.

PELU rejects: Stop violence against women event
23-Nov-2003
PELU rejects TWC2 application for an outdoor event to mark International Day Against Violence Against Women. The answer of the police is the same as their rejection of Think Centre's application for International Childrens' Day- "law and order problem." The PELU suggest using Speakers Corner.

Malaysia: Anti-terrorism bills terrorise the people
26-Oct-2003
Suaram strongly opposes the proposed anti-terrorism amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Anti-Money Laundering Act, which will have adverse impact on human rights and civil liberty of the citizen and turn Malaysia into a world class police state if they are passed in the Parliament.

Born and bred in Singapore, but stateless
09-Nov-2003
Lim was born in Singapore 33 years ago and served in the nation's military for two years. Lim's parents were not married when he was born. It meant Lim did not automatically qualify for citizenship. "The government needs to overcome discriminative practice by recognising as citizens children born of Singapore citizen and foreign parent [regardless of their marital status]". Think Centre

Taiwan: Commute all death sentences
09-Nov-2003
27 October 2003, Taiwan announced that the Presidential office and the cabinet are jointly drafting legislation to abolish the death penalty, but calls on the government to commute all death sentences in the interim in order to demonstrate its commitment to abolition of the death penalty.

S’pore’s Jeyaretnam honoured with first human rights award
07-Dec-2003
Singapore’s celebrated former opposition leader JB Jeyaretnam has become the first person honoured by the Think Centre’s ‘Human Rights Defenders Award’, for his "significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights in Singapore."

Human Rights Day Forum: A brief from a participant
09-Dec-2003
The highlight of Human Rights Day Forum at Oxford Hotel on 6 December was the presentation of the First Human Rights Defenders Award to veteran opposition party politician and human rights activist, Mr JB Jeyaretnam.

A charter for deafblind children and young people
05-Feb-2004
Singaporeans should draft a charter for the deafblind children and young people. We need to learn to overcome our discrimination and respect them as equals with dignity! Lets be a kind society. Let the children expriences joy and happiness! No more tears, stress and suicides! We could draw lessons from citizens experience in UK. [Think Centre]

Singapore Prison Service Report
15-Dec-2003
The captains of lives - as the cover of the latest Prisons Annual report, calls prison officers - may want to review how they captain the sea of information in their custody, in the public interest.

Singapore:Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003
03-Mar-2004
The U.S. State Department's 2003 report on Human Rights in Singapore, which was released on the internet on last Thursday. One of the point raised in the report says law enforcement agencies, including ISD, monitor Singaporean's phone calls and Internet activity. And can do so without a warrant. Opposition politicians and gov't critics are believed to be routinely monitored.

Human Rights Record of the US in 2003
03-Mar-2004
China issued the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2003 Monday, March 1, in response to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003 issued by the US on Feb. 25. The Human Rights Record is the fifth Chinese report in responseto the annual country reports on human rights by the United States.

Death Penalty: Latest worldwide statistics released
11-Apr-2004
By abolishing the death penalty in law or practice over half the countries in the world have set the path for the remaining states who continue to violate the right to life, said Amnesty International.

BHUTAN: Capital punishment abolished
13-Apr-2004
His Majesty the King, in a kasho (royal decree) issued on March 20, the 30th day of the 2nd Bhutanese month, abolished capital punishment in the kingdom of Bhutan.

Malaysia: Court denounce the use of secrecy laws
20-Apr-2004
A Malaysian appeal court has denounced the Government's use of secrecy laws to jail an opposition activist, reviving corruption allegations against one of the country's most powerful ministers.

Thailand: Probe Use of Lethal Force in Muslim South
30-Apr-2004
The Thai government should promptly establish an independent body to investigate the use of lethal force by military and police in response to the violence in southern Thailand, which resulted in more than 100 deaths, said Human Rights Watch.

Thailand: Threats against human rights defenders
20-May-2004
Amnesty International is concerned by anonymous death threats received by several human rights defenders, including academics and two National Human Rights Commissioners, in the wake of ongoing violence in Thailand's far south.

Uniquely Singaporean:The right to chew - therapeutic gum
28-May-2004
After 12 years, on 24 May 2004, Singapore has lifted its notorious ban on chewing gum. The movement of the world’s gilded cage, Singapore towards democracy has been characterised by the legalisation of bungee jumping, table-top dancing and now, the use of chewing gum for therapeutic purposes. Singapore has become synonymous of defamation suits, caning and executions.

There Is More To The Death Penalty Debate
21-Jun-2004
There has been some "hoo-hah" lately over the report by Amnesty International in mid January 2004 entitled: "Singapore - The death penalty: A hidden toll of executions".

Landmines: Banks reconsidering their investments in Singapore
18-Jul-2004
In Belgium, the CEO of Dexia announced recently, that the bank had sold its STE shares in the DEXIA Asia Premier fund.It seems very likely that other banks will follow suit soon. Similary, Nowegian companies have been advised not to invest in STE as it may violate the Ottawa treaty.

UN calls on Southeast Asia to redouble efforts to halt child landmine deaths
01-Oct-2004
With landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) continuing indiscriminately to maim and kill children across Southeast Asia, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is calling on regional governments to redouble their efforts to clean up the devastating waste from decades of war.

Singapore struggles with image as executioner
26-Oct-2004
In 2003, 19 people and this year 6 people had been hanged from January to September. A 24-year-old Australian man of Vietnamese origin lost an appeal and is facing the death penalty.

JAPAN: Death Penalty and the Media
01-Dec-2004
January 1, 2003, the number of nations that have abolished the death penalty is 112, and the number of nations still practicing it is 83. Among the developed nations, though, only Japan and the United States still have the death penalty. [Singapore is also a developed nation with the death penalty].

India: The debate on death penalty
08-Oct-2004
ABOUT 75 countries have abolished capital sentence by law. Twenty more have it on statute, but have not used it at all for several years. It will, therefore, be correct to say that the penalty does not prevail in about 100 countries. We are among the 80-odd countries that have retained it.

Singapore: Death Penalty should be commuted to imprisonment
19-Oct-2004
October 19, the appeal to the Court of Appeals by 24-year-old Australian Nguyen Tuong Van, an ethnic Vietnamese man, against his death sentence,was dismissed. He was found guilty in March of smuggling 14 ounces of heroin and sentenced to death.

What does PERC have to do with Death Penalty!
23-Apr-2005
The PERC report is basically a business report. The PERC report doesn't address the death penalty. The PERC report is utterly irrelevant to the discussion about the death penalty.

Singapore: President rejects clemency for Shanmugam
26-Apr-2005
Singapore's President S.R. Nathan said he had decided "after due consideration of the petitions and on the advice of the Cabinet...that the sentence of death should stand".

Inadequate Government Response on Yeo Eng Siang Case
07-Mar-2005
We refer to the Straits Times report of March 1, 2005, entitled “No delay in appeal for man jailed”. This report carried the response of Law Minister S. Jayakumar regarding the case of Yeo Eng Siang.

S'pore: Judge orders man to mental institution
23-Mar-2005
Two decisions of the Senior District Judge made on March 18 (ST Saturday March 19) raise questions of great importance to the public, touching upon, as they do, the fundamental right of the individual - his liberty.

Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff - I am not a fugitive
27-Dec-2004
TWO-and-a-half years ago, he was investigated for possible criminal defamation. In terms of the language used to describe me, I totally reject the term “fugitive” as used in the article. It is mischievous.

Death Penalty: Nguyen Tuong Van appeals
04-Apr-2005
Nguyen Tuong Van, an Australian, has plead for clemency. Think Centre hopes the President of Singapore will commute Nguyen's death penalty. Think Centre has called for a moratorium on Death Penalty in 2003.The Think Centre opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Police reject bid for casino protest march
12-Apr-2005
Police have rejected a political activist's bid to demonstrate against a proposed casino, saying it would have disrupted civil order.

Singapore: Defamation charges bankrupt another opposition politican
03-Feb-2005
The damages mean Chee will most likely declare himself bankrupt, effectively ruling him out of the next elections due by 2007. Singapore laws forbid bankrupts from standing for office.

Singapore: Three tiers of censorship
29-Nov-2009
In Singapore, every time politically sensitive subjects are raised in public, there is great uneasiness that one's phone is being tapped, emails monitored, movements and speech recorded. This climate of political fear creates a culture of self - censorship, even on the internet.

AI reports on Singapore executions, human rights
24-Jun-2005
Singapore continues to curtail political expression and has the world's highest rate of execution on a per capita basis

Singapore's arts ambitions caught up in rights debate
24-Jun-2005
The hanging yesterday [13 May 05] of a former Singapore champion athlete for smuggling cannabis has sparked a rare activist protest against the city- state's draconian anti-drug laws and has helped fuel a debate about civil liberties.

Singapore says no climate of fear
24-Jun-2005
The government bans non-commercial private ownership of satellite dishes, political videos, and publications need permits to circulate. A government agency threatened libel suit for comments a student made on the blog. The government says a high degree of control over public debate and the media is needed to maintain law and order.

The question of the death penalty
14-Jul-2005
Calls upon all States that still maintain the death penalty: To abolish the death penalty completely and, in the meantime, to establish a moratorium on executions.

Singapore: Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
05-Aug-2005
There are still many restrictive laws which limit the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

Freedom of Expression denied: No to creative feedback? WHY
06-Sep-2005
Where's our sense of humour? Cutouts were just a visual form of public feedback. A peaceful and innovative form of expression by ordinary citizens is under police investigation. The police are over-reacting. Why?

Singapore not ashamed of low rank for press freedom
12-Nov-2005
Singapore is ranked 140th out of 167 countries in RSF's 2005 annual press freedom index. Singapore's low ranking was due to the complete absence of independent media, ....

UN rights expert calls on Singapore not to execute convicted drug trafficker
19-Nov-2005
Last appeal: International Court of Justice & Commonwealth Secretariat (CHOGM) “No international human rights tribunal anywhere in the world has ever found a mandatory death penalty regime compatible with international human rights norms” the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Philip Alston, said.

S'pore web rules: Condemned
09-Apr-2006
INTERNATIONAL press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Singapore's restrictions on political discussions in blogs and websites ahead of general elections.

A Shadow on Singapore's Judiciary
09-Apr-2006
FORUM-ASIA is deeply concerned about Singapore's use of defamation laws to silence political critics such as Opposition Leader Dr Chee Soon Juan.

RSF: Open letter to PM on Freedom
30-Dec-2005
There are simple measures that can be taken to encourage both economic development and free expression at the same time. Do not miss this chance to turn Singapore into a prosperous and free country.

Dismissed: Case on suppression of freedom
30-Dec-2005
This ruling will have implications for the rights of Singaporean citizens to free assembly and free speech, as the ruling signals that Singaporean citizens cannot express their concerns over the government and its policies even through peaceful protest, though this right is supposedly guaranteed by the Constitution.

Singapore’s free speech policy criticized
25-Jan-2006
A group of high-school students planning to sell white elephant T-shirts was seen as a potentially subversive act. The police warned the students that if they wore the T-shirts “en masse, it might be misconstrued by some as an offence” since Singapore bans protest demonstrations.

Singapore: We'll cane protesters
25-Jan-2006
Tightly controlled Singapore bans public demonstrations or protests, and uses punishments including caning and the death penalty to curb crime.

S'pore: Jailed for criticising judiciary
20-Jun-2006
A Singapore court jailed a prominent opposition leader for eight days for questioning the independence of the city-state's judiciary [17 March 2006].

S'pore: Charged for speaking without permission
20-Jun-2006
Chee, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party, and Yap Keng Ho and Gandhi Ambalam have been told to appear in court on 20 June 2006.

S'pore muzzles blogger 'Mr Brown'
29-Jul-2006
Stricter rules apply to mainstream media than to 'internet chatter', says minister

ISA: Nine years in Changi and after
31-Jul-2006
The Internal Security Act strikes fear into the mind of the people. In the seminar, Fernandez spoke of how his involvement in labor activism led to his arrest in 1964. More than 40 fellow activists and leftists were arrested along with Fernandez.

Singapore's social contract under strain
03-Oct-2006
Singapore's social contract under strain as critics face crackdown. Citizens have long traded civil liberties for prosperity, but the government is now curbing the media as inequality grows.

Singapore denies fundamental freedoms
21-Oct-2006
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) strongly condemns the Singapore government’s detention and deportations of civil society activists during the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings in the country.

Give judges discretion to set aside death penalty
11-Apr-2007
Think Centre supports the call to remove the mandatory capital punishment for all cases including simple possession of drugs. The laws have to be changed to permit judicial discretion and fairness for all cases.

Ban on outdoor demos eased at Speakers Corner
22-Nov-2008
Singapore's political liberalisation takes a small step forward with outdoor demonstrations being permitted at Speakers' Corner [1 September 2008].

LAWYERS STILL HAVE SPACE
19-Jul-2008
THE Law Society has long desired to see a change to a 22-year-old amendment that ended its powers to propose legislative reforms.

IBA - Singapore should free courts from govt influence
09-Jul-2008
The International Bar Association's human rights arm expressed concern over the limitations of freedom of expression and the independence of Singapore courts in a 72-page report.

Singaporeans find their voice in financial crisis
19-Oct-2008
THEY clapped and cheered, about 600 of them, in the biggest outdoor rally tightly-controlled Singapore had seen in years.

Singapore: Executions defy global trend
24-Jan-2009
Think Centre calls for moratorium on death penalty. The government is urged to remove the mandatory death penalty for possession of drugs. Any humane criminal justice system will not continue to justify the retention of the death penalty which is based on retribution. Death penalty is a practice from the past like torture and slavery must be rejected by all.

UN committee votes for moratorium on the death penalty
18-Nov-2007
United Nations General Assembly’s third committee, which deals with human rights issues, voted 99 to 52, with 33 abstentions, in favour of the resolution. The resolution will now go before the full 192-member Assembly for a vote next month. ASEAN countries must respect the right to life and vote for the global moratorium on the death penalty.

IBA - Singapore should free courts from govt influence
13-Jul-2008
The International Bar Association's human rights arm expressed concern over the limitations of freedom of expression and the independence of Singapore courts.

A good opening up
10-Sep-2008
Government loosens the gag that prevents freer public expressions days after Lee Kuan Yew lashes out at multi-party democracy.

People remember 21 May 1987
04-Jun-2009
On 21 May 2009, marks the 22nd anniversary of "Operation Spectrum", a group of concerned Singaporeans gathered at the Speakers Corner to speak out against the treatment of detainees without trial under the ISA.

Singapore takes hard line on protests
04-Jun-2009
The government can use the law to deal with any outbreaks of public frustration as the recession leads to more job cuts and shrinking pay cheques.

Rights group criticizes S'pore defamation suits
04-Jun-2009
Bankrupt Singaporean citizens are prohibited from running for office and may not travel abroad without the government's permission.

The Workers’ Party opposes the Public Order Bill.
14-Apr-2009
The change in definition of “assembly” and “procession” is more disturbing. As the Explanatory Statement to the Bill says, these words are no longer restricted to gatherings of 5 persons or more. This means even ONE person alone can constitute illegal assembly, thus giving the State complete control over an individual citizen’s freedoms.

Defamation case threatens press freedom
30-Nov-2009
The government of Singapore has a history of using civil defamation actions to stifle political opposition.