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UN expert questions relevance of Sedition Act
April 29th, 2010 | Author: Your Correspondent
United Nations Special Rapporteur Githu Muigai has questioned the relevance of the Sedition Act in Singapore today in his report after an eight-day mission here.
He opined that Singapore society was mature and called for a review of laws which constraint public debate on race and religion, adding that “restrictions such as those in the Penal Code and Sedition Act were not as useful today as they were 45 years ago when Singapore experienced violent racial tensions.”
“I think I would even go further and say that I think they stand in the way of a more robust, more engaging debate that is necessary for Singapore or Singapore society to move forward,” he was quoted as saying in the Straits Times.
Besides race and religion, the Sedition Act also covers speech or publication which incites “hatred and disaffection” against the government.
It was recently used by the police to investigate a case of distribution of anti-PAP fliers in the estates of Seng Kang and Marine Parade.
“‘It is absolutely necessary in a free society that restrictions on public debate or discourse and the protection of racial harmony are not implemented at the detriment of fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly,” he added.
Mr Githu also noted that the relentless influx of immigrants lately has caused some unhappiness and disgruntlement among Singaporeans and suggested having a more open and transparent immigration policy to address the problem especially that there was perception that migrants from certain countries were preferred.
As expected, Mr Githu’s assessment drew a swift rebuke from the PAP government which is not well known for its tolerance of external criticisms of its policies.
“We must emphatically disagree with Mr Muigai. Race, language and religion will always be sensitive issues in Singapore. This does not mean that they cannot be discussed, but a balance must always be struck between free expression and preservation of racial and religious harmony,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
April 29th, 2010 | Author: Your Correspondent
United Nations Special Rapporteur Githu Muigai has questioned the relevance of the Sedition Act in Singapore today in his report after an eight-day mission here.
He opined that Singapore society was mature and called for a review of laws which constraint public debate on race and religion, adding that “restrictions such as those in the Penal Code and Sedition Act were not as useful today as they were 45 years ago when Singapore experienced violent racial tensions.”
“I think I would even go further and say that I think they stand in the way of a more robust, more engaging debate that is necessary for Singapore or Singapore society to move forward,” he was quoted as saying in the Straits Times.
Besides race and religion, the Sedition Act also covers speech or publication which incites “hatred and disaffection” against the government.
It was recently used by the police to investigate a case of distribution of anti-PAP fliers in the estates of Seng Kang and Marine Parade.
“‘It is absolutely necessary in a free society that restrictions on public debate or discourse and the protection of racial harmony are not implemented at the detriment of fundamental human rights, such as the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly,” he added.
Mr Githu also noted that the relentless influx of immigrants lately has caused some unhappiness and disgruntlement among Singaporeans and suggested having a more open and transparent immigration policy to address the problem especially that there was perception that migrants from certain countries were preferred.
As expected, Mr Githu’s assessment drew a swift rebuke from the PAP government which is not well known for its tolerance of external criticisms of its policies.
“We must emphatically disagree with Mr Muigai. Race, language and religion will always be sensitive issues in Singapore. This does not mean that they cannot be discussed, but a balance must always be struck between free expression and preservation of racial and religious harmony,” a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
