2 arrested for protest
Monday, 12 January 2009, 6:04 pm | 86 views
Report from the Straits Times:
POLICE on Monday arrested two Singaporean activists for staging a protest in support of Myanmar nationals allegedly being forced to leave the city-state for involvement in political activities.
Seelan Palay and Chong Kai Xiong stood outside the Ministry of Manpower’s building in the city’s business district for about an hour before they were handcuffed by police without showing any resistance.
They wore red T-shirts and held a banner that read ‘Stop ill-treatment of Burmese activists’.
The protest was in support of two Myanmar nationals, Moe Kyaw Thu and Win Kyaw, whose work permits have not been renewed by Singapore, effectively forcing them to leave, Palay said.
He said the two men were among 40 Myanmar nationals who took part in a protest against their country’s ruling junta during a summit of Southeast Asian leaders hosted by Singapore in November 2007.
‘We can’t just stand by as Singaporeans, as personal friends, and watch them being expelled one by one,’ he said.
Full report on the Straits Times.
Update: TOC has just learned that the activists have been released from the police station (6pm, Jan 12).
Monday, 12 January 2009, 6:04 pm | 86 views
Report from the Straits Times:
POLICE on Monday arrested two Singaporean activists for staging a protest in support of Myanmar nationals allegedly being forced to leave the city-state for involvement in political activities.
Seelan Palay and Chong Kai Xiong stood outside the Ministry of Manpower’s building in the city’s business district for about an hour before they were handcuffed by police without showing any resistance.
They wore red T-shirts and held a banner that read ‘Stop ill-treatment of Burmese activists’.
The protest was in support of two Myanmar nationals, Moe Kyaw Thu and Win Kyaw, whose work permits have not been renewed by Singapore, effectively forcing them to leave, Palay said.
He said the two men were among 40 Myanmar nationals who took part in a protest against their country’s ruling junta during a summit of Southeast Asian leaders hosted by Singapore in November 2007.
‘We can’t just stand by as Singaporeans, as personal friends, and watch them being expelled one by one,’ he said.
Full report on the Straits Times.
Update: TOC has just learned that the activists have been released from the police station (6pm, Jan 12).
