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Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 21, 2010
Public Order Act slammed
<!-- by line --> By Kor Kian Beng
A New York-based rights group has criticised Singapore's new Public Order Act, which gives the police powers to compel a person to move on and refrain from returning to a designated spot for up to 24 hours. -- ST PHOTO: LIM YONG
A NEW YORK-based rights group has criticised Singapore's new Public Order Act, which gives the police powers to compel a person to move on and refrain from returning to a designated spot for up to 24 hours. In its World Report 2010 released yesterday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the new law has effectively negated an earlier move by the Government to relax rules at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.
Since September 2008, police permits are no longer required for protests or gatherings at Speakers' Corner, as long as subjects on race and religion are not touched on, and foreigners do not organise or take part in events held there. But the HRW said this move was countered by the Public Order Act, passed in April last year, because it requires permits for 'cause-related' activities, no matter how many people are involved.
Said Mr Phil Robertson, its deputy Asia director, in a statement: 'Singapore should have the confidence to trust its people with full freedom of expression, assembly and association, and recognise that their participation is critical for the country's continued prosperity.' However, under the Act, outdoor activities promoting or supporting a cause do not require police permits if they are held at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 21, 2010
Public Order Act slammed
<!-- by line --> By Kor Kian Beng
A New York-based rights group has criticised Singapore's new Public Order Act, which gives the police powers to compel a person to move on and refrain from returning to a designated spot for up to 24 hours. -- ST PHOTO: LIM YONG
A NEW YORK-based rights group has criticised Singapore's new Public Order Act, which gives the police powers to compel a person to move on and refrain from returning to a designated spot for up to 24 hours. In its World Report 2010 released yesterday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the new law has effectively negated an earlier move by the Government to relax rules at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.
Since September 2008, police permits are no longer required for protests or gatherings at Speakers' Corner, as long as subjects on race and religion are not touched on, and foreigners do not organise or take part in events held there. But the HRW said this move was countered by the Public Order Act, passed in April last year, because it requires permits for 'cause-related' activities, no matter how many people are involved.
Said Mr Phil Robertson, its deputy Asia director, in a statement: 'Singapore should have the confidence to trust its people with full freedom of expression, assembly and association, and recognise that their participation is critical for the country's continued prosperity.' However, under the Act, outdoor activities promoting or supporting a cause do not require police permits if they are held at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.