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With
a broad array of speakers from different backgrounds
and disciplines, the forum signalled for public
education of human rights and more interestingly
an establishment of a study committee to explore
the feasibility of a human rights commission or
a judicial ombudsman to safeguard fundamental
liberties of Singaporeans.
Professor
Val Winslow of the National University of Singapore,
Ms Khoo Heng Kheow, President of Aware, Mr Sinapan
Samydorai of the Asia Human Rights Commission
and Dr Chee Soon Juan, Secretary General of the
Singapore Democratic Party were the keynote speakers
of the forum. James Gomez, the centre's point
man, in usual savvy style, chaired the forum.
Definitions
of human rights are vast and most of the time
controversial. However, all the speakers did not
focus on abstract notions or theoretical frameworks;
they all went into the heart of the matter of
making human rights 'Every Singaporean Matters'.
Even though the different speakers began from
different premises, they all agreed that "it
is time" to openly discuss human rights in
Singapore. "All governmental and non-governmental
organisations should come together to map a plan
for a successful implementation of human rights
in this country", according to Mr Samydorai.
The sentiment of the 150 strong crowd at the end
of the forum was to support a local human rights
institutional framework.
In
this sense, the potential initiatives can tap
into the recommendations of the 1966 Wee Chong
Jin Constitutional Commission which called for
legislation to protect fundamental liberties and
also to check executive authority. As Prof. Winslow
calmly stated, then the government of the day
had other 'pressing priorities'. Now with an economically
vibrant state the underpinnings of nationhood
can be built upon our own ideas of human rights.
The university professor was also not far off
the mark when he claimed that the trends of international
politics are forcing states to negotiate a balance
between security and human rights.
Ms
Khoo's thorough presentation on the nature of
patriarchal legislation in Singapore showed both
her personal knowledge and experience of women's'
rights. Her methodical style illuminated some
of the inconsistencies and contradictions in our
system and she went on to show that there needs
to be some serious legislative changes and public
education initiatives if there is to be any changes.
She also said that AWARE was closely monitoring
the workings of the Australian Human Rights and
Equal Opportunities Commission to learn hot to
enact positive legislation. This is an interesting
development because it would mean that there is
an ongoing momentum for other local NGO to make
plans for more human rights legislation.
Mr
Samydorai's, the third speaker, approached the
subject of human rights with humour. Entertaining,
informative and with a tendency to draw laugther
from the audience he managed to sketch out concrete
plans for a potential human rights programme and
institution in Singapore. (For a detailed assessment
of Mr Samydorai's recommendations please view
the full text of his speech in this website.)
These were useful recommendations primarily because
of his experience with the Asian Human Rights
Commission and they must be astutely analysed.
Dr
Chee Soon Juan painted a pessimistic and hopeless
future for human rights in Singapore and surprised
everybody. Whether it was a tactic to capture
the headlines or simply to embody that he was
'beyond human rights' remained unclear. However,
Dr Chee has been a steadfast fighter for human
rights and was jailed for attempting to speak
without a licence. His scathing criticisms of
the PAP's tactics provided some measure of evidence
of why he believed a human rights programme in
Singapore will be futile. On the other hand, he
remained hopeful and was willing to participate
in any discussions pertaining to an establishment
of a committee to set up a human rights commission.
The
question and answer sessions covered a wide scope
from political apathy right up to a comparative
study of human rights. However, the most interesting
question was posted when one of the members of
the audience asked whether having Dr Chee on the
human rights study committee would be a liability.
It was a valid question especially when Dr Chee
himself alleges that there is a media black out
on him. However, Dr Chee retorted that he would
be willing to sit on any committee if invited
and hoped that those pushing for the initiative
would not consider him a liability. Yet it is
a sad state of affairs that sometimes-noble issues
cannot be sought because of domestic power politics.
The
passion of this forum ended with a firm commitment
that the next step would be to do a feasibility
study on opening up a human rights commission.
The Think Centre is already working on the Public
Entertainments Act and this can be incorporated
into the study committee for a Human Rights response
for Singapore. This could be a turning point for
civil society and all non-governmental organisations
in Singapore. The opportunities are limitless
and heading towards this uncharted waters is indeed
exciting. Are we going to make history or is history
going to prove that Singapore is not worth the
effort?
Whatever
it is James Gomez personifies the Singaporean
of the 21st Century when he says " I am prepared
to throw myself into uncharted waters for the
benefit of Singapore because Every Singaporean
Matters. What about you." Well that is the
spirit of S21, isn't it?
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