MEDIA RELEASE PR36926
White Paper Condemns the Repression of Political Freedoms in Singapore
LONDON, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit
that will take place in Singapore on 12-14th November, Amsterdam & Peroff
today issued a White Paper condemning the erosion of political freedoms in
Singapore.
The White Paper documents the repression of political freedoms
in Singapore and outlines how the Government of Singapore, under the
leadership of the People's Action Party (PAP), has monopolized the state's
apparatus to its own benefit. The result has been the denial of basic
democratic rights and freedoms.
Amsterdam & Peroff are an international law firm representing
pro bono Dr. Chee Soon Juan, the leader of one of Singapore's most important
opposition parties - the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). The case of Dr
Chee Soon Juan is examined in detail. As leader of the Singapore Democratic
Party, Dr Chee has been repeatedly sued, charged, and sentenced ever since
his first political act of opposition. He is recognized internationally as a
defender of political freedoms and has received the Defender of Democracy
The White Paper notes that ever since Singapore gained
internal self-government in 1959, it has been ruled by the PAP which has won
control of Parliament in every election. The government has solidified its
near monopoly on the political machinery of the state by undermining the
rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Singapore through the passage of
unconstitutional domestic laws. The combination of a compliant judiciary, a
media silenced through state ownership and the ever-present threat of
defamation and libel suits have created a climate for the suppression of
political freedoms. Recent legislative developments with the enactment in
April 2009 of the Public Order Act have consolidated further the authority of
the ruling PAP over the political opposition.
The White Paper calls upon foreign governments, NGOs, and the
media to put pressure on the Government of Singapore to act on the demands of
the political opposition as well as for:
- APEC leaders attending the November 12-14 Summit in Singapore to meet
with representatives of civil society in Singapore, including Dr. Chee,
leader of the SDP;
- ASEAN to establish a viable Human Rights Commission;
- The charges against Dr Chee and other members of the political
opposition to be dropped;
- A campaign for an independent and impartial judiciary in Singapore;
For press inquiries please contact:
Katy Epstein
Amsterdam & Peroff
E-mail: katy.epstein@amperlaw.com
SOURCE: Amsterdam & Peroff
Translations:
NEWS 
