[Repost] South Asian Pride Singapore – ‘Our Voice 2026’ featuring Braema Mathi

13 June 2026

Human rights and social justice apply equally to everyone—no matter who they love or how they identify.

In this installment of ‘Our Voice 2026’ from South Asian Pride Singapore, our President, Ms. Braema Mathi, takes a deep dive into the intersections of faith, South Asian culture, and LGBTQ+ allyship.

Reflecting on everything from the nuances of historical traditions to the post-377A landscape in Singapore, she calls out the double standards that still exist in state and social recognition. It is a powerful reminder that the right to a recognized partnership and a supportive community belongs to all of us.

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[Repost] WTC Wrap: 16 May 2026 – “Singapore carried out its 10th execution of 2026 yesterday morning”

17 May 2026

https://www.wethecitizens.net/wtc-wrap-16-may-2026

Singapore carried out its 10th execution of 2026 yesterday morning. It’s a staggering pace of killing.

On Tuesday, during Singapore’s Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, a total of 41 countries made recommendations related to the death penalty, such as urging for a moratorium on executions and respecting the right to life. In its press statement on the session, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reduced this high number of recommendations (even more than the death penalty recommendations made during the last cycle) to a quick and vague reference to “recommendations by several States on the abolition of capital punishment”.

Singapore’s delegation, led by Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, insisted that our criminal punishment policies are evidence-based and in line with international law—even though international standards make it clear that “[in] countries which have not abolished the death penalty, capital punishment may be imposed only for the most serious crimes, it being understood that their scope should not go beyond intentional crimes with lethal or other extremely grave consequences”. If you’re interested, I found a 2013 paper that begins with discussion of this “most serious crimes” limitation and makes clear that the mandatory death penalty for drug offences—which is what Singapore has—does not meet this standard.

“The use of capital punishment in our criminal justice system is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we do so with a heavy heart,” Rahayu told the Human Rights Council. I’m glad I’d already gone to bed by this point and didn’t see her say this live, or I might still be crawling on my hands and knees, swearing, trying to locate the eyeballs that rolled out of my head. Hanging 10 people in under five months, taking the position that people can be executed despite being party to ongoing legal proceedings or formal complaints against their previous lawyers, and reviewing policy to reduce notice periods for some prisoners is not “heavy heart” behaviour.

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[Repost] The death penalty and the “most serious crimes” by International Commission against the Death Penalty

16 May 2026

https://icomdp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Most-serious-crimes_final_6Feb2013.pdf

Please click here to access the rest of the article.

Thank you.

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[Repost] Singapore’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

13 May 2026

https://www.ohchr.org/en/media-advisories/2026/05/singapores-human-rights-record-be-examined-universal-periodic-review

08 May 2026

GENEVA – The human rights record of Singapore will be examined by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, 14:30-18:00 (GMT+2), in a meeting in Geneva that will be webcast live.

Singapore is one of 14 States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session from 4 to 15 May 2026. The first, second and third UPR reviews of Singapore took place in May 2011, January 2016, and May 2021, respectively.

The UPR Working Group is comprised of the 47 Member States of the Human Rights Council. However, any UN Member or Observer State can participate in a country review.

The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report – information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the special procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations, and civil society groups.

The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Singapore can be found here.

Location: Assembly Hall (A Building, third floor), Palais des Nations, Geneva.
Date and time: Tuesday, 12 May 2026, 14:30-18:00 (GMT+2)

The UPR is a peer review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN Member States have been reviewed three times. During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.

The delegation of Singapore will be led by Ms. Rahayu Binte Mahzam, Minister of State at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and at the Ministry of Health.

The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Singapore are Albania, Benin and Indonesia.

The webcast of the session will be at: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1f4qowgdz

The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Singapore will be posted on the UPR Extranet.

The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Singapore on Friday, 15 May 2026, between 14:30 and 18:00 (GMT+2). The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during its review.

// ENDS //

For more information and media requests, please contact Pascal Sim, Human Rights Council Spokesperson, at simp@un.org and Matthew Brown, Human Rights Council Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.org.

To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review:
www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/upr/upr-main

Sign up for the UN Human Rights Council newsletter “Room 20 Bulletin”:
https://mailchi.mp/a3a538479938/hrc-mailshot-to-ohchr-global

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[Repost] APHR Demands Unconditional Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Supports Proof of Life Campaign

7 May 2026

https://aseanmp.org/publications/post/aphr-demands-unconditional-release-of-daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-supports-proof-of-life-campaign

JAKARTA, 6 May 2026—As ASEAN leaders convene in Cebu for the 48th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and urges the bloc to add its voice to growing global demands.

The UN Secretary-General, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, and governments including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and France have all called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta’s transfer of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Naypyidaw Prison to an undisclosed location under house arrest on April 30—four days before the summit opened—has done nothing to satisfy that demand. APHR views this as a calculated attempt to deflect pressure and generate diplomatic goodwill amid heightened international scrutiny.

APHR also supports the ‘Proof of Life’ campaign, and underscores the urgent need to verify Aung San Suu Kyi’s health and well-being. Kim Aris, leading champion of the campaign, has had no direct contact with his mother since February 1, 2021. No independent observer has been permitted to verify the health or welfare of the 80-year old former leader.

Moreover, APHR welcomes the Philippines’ call, as ASEAN Chair, to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and urges ASEAN to elevate that call into a unified bloc position. The Five-Point Consensus requires the junta to engage in genuine dialogue with all stakeholders. Yet in five years since its adoption, the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar has never once been permitted to meet the leader of the party that won Myanmar’s last free election.

APHR calls on ASEAN leaders to:

– Demand Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate and unconditional release, not merely in words but through concrete, coordinated pressure on the junta to act;
– Ensure her family is granted immediate access and independent observers are permitted to verify her condition without delay; and
– Reaffirm that any political process excluding Myanmar’s democratically elected representatives lacks legitimacy and must not be recognized by ASEAN.

For media inquiries, please email:

Elsa Jade | elsa.jade@aseanmp.org
Myanmar & Crisis Response – Program Coordinator

Neal Roxas | neal@aseanmp.org
Media & Communications Officer

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Research on Consumerism, Climate Change, and Human Rights

22 April 2026

We are pleased to share a paper written by a MARUAH contributing writer S. Porter recently in conjunction with the forum on the Obligation to Act, Climate Change and Human Rights organized by SG Climate Change Rally and MARUAH.

We encourage all MARUAH friends and visitors to take a few minutes to read more about how the culture of consumerism is a major engine of the climate crisis and is deeply intertwined with human rights.

Please click here to access the paper.

Thank you.

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[Post-Event] ‘Obligation to Act – Climate Change and Human Rights’ on 17 April 7.30pm, an event by SG Climate Rally and Maruah

19 April 2026

SG Climate Change Rally and MARUAH organised an engaging and productive forum on the Obligation to Act, Climate Change and Human Rights on 17 April 2026 at The Arts And Civil Space.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our panel discussion on climate change and human rights.

This session was co-organised by MARUAH and SG Climate Rally. We are both grateful for the opportunity to bring together diverse voices on an issue that affects communities in Singapore and beyond.

A special thank you to our moderator, Yong Feng, for guiding the conversation so thoughtfully. We are also deeply appreciative of our panelists, Betty Lau-Khoo Kingsley, Debby Giam and Clara Feng, for their rich and candid contributions. These included mapping out the interconnections between climate and human rights, emphasising empowerment, multi-stakeholder approaches, and the importance of preventive action. The lively discussion brought out both the complexity of the issues and the urgency of the work ahead for everyone.

It was also a helpful reminder that many of us encounter these challenges in parts. Conversations like this allow us to see the bigger picture better.

To all participants, thank you for your thoughtful questions and engagement. We hope this is just the start of continued dialogue and collective action towards a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.

We look forward to meeting everyone at our future events.

Thank you once again for being part of this important conversation.

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MARUAH letter to Singapore Ministry of Manpower – ‘A Letter of Recommendation from MARUAH’

15 April 2026

Dr Tan See Leng,

Minister for Manpower

Singapore

By email

11 April 2026

Dear Minister,

We refer to the recent statement by the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (H.O.M.E.) on the planned increase in foreign worker levies under Budget 2026.

Migrant workers play a vital role in Singapore’s economy and society. They contribute significantly to key sectors – construction, marine, hospitality, food and beverage and within the home as domestic workers and caregivers.

At MARUAH, as a human rights organisation, we remain concerned in ensuring that the rights of these foreign women and men are fulfilled as they provide essential services for the well-being of people in Singapore and also strengthen the growth of our economy.

Hence, MARUAH supports the call made by H.O.M.E for more strategic use of foreign worker levies collected, estimated to be $7 billion for the year 2026. We endorse the calls made for a portion of the levies to be directed towards:

●      medical subsidies for foreign workers many of whom are exposed to occupational hazards;

●      social security for migrant workers who can retrieve this sum upon returning to their countries of origin, giving them a much-needed safety net; and

●      payments for training costs for migrant workers, saving them from incurring repayment debts made with employment agencies.

It is MARUAH’s argument that it is time for Singapore over its decades of being dependent on migrant workers, to also pitch itself as a global leader in sustainability. By aligning our policies with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8, 10, 16, and 17, Singapore can position itself not only as a country of destination with appropriate laws, but also as a visionary partner in the global market of shared responsibility and global citizenry.

We do recognise that the levy is an important tool in managing Singapore’s labour market and the ongoing efforts to calibrate this framework. Nonetheless, the inflow of foreign labour still rises with employers continuing to make these levy payments.

As such it is time for Singapore to move further on ensuring that portions of the levies collected are also used to improve and increase benefits for the migrant labour force at their individual level.

We reiterate that Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment”. Part of ensuring ‘just and favourable conditions” prevail must mean investing in social security and making healthcare affordable and accessible for all migrant workers.

The time has come for our country to do better by migrant workers and so embrace being part of an aligned member in the international community that values the dignity and well-being of migrant workers.

Thank you, Minister.

With best wishes,

Braema Mathi

President, MARUAH

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[Statement] Response to the use of POFMA clause requiring The Online Citizen to publish a correction notice in The Straits Times over an article about the appointment of the attorney-general

4 April 2026

We refer to the Channel NewsAsia report, “TOC’s ‘persistent falsehoods’ prompt first use of POFMA clause requiring correction notice in Straits Times”, published on 25 March 2026.

We recognise the Government’s ongoing efforts to address misinformation and safeguard public discourse, including through the use of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). The reported use of Section 11(3)(b), requiring a correction notice to be published in a specified print outlet, marks a significant development in the law’s application.

At the same time, measures adopted to counter falsehoods should remain necessary, proportionate, and consistent with the right to freedom of expression. Requiring publication in a mainstream newspaper may impose substantial financial costs on recipients—costs that may be beyond the means of many individuals, independent media outlets, and civil society organisations. Given that non-compliance constitutes a criminal offence, such directions may place considerable pressure on affected parties.

We also note that public authorities already have access to extensive communication channels to issue clarifications and corrections. It is therefore not always clear when more coercive measures are required, or how they address more complex challenges such as coordinated disinformation campaigns, including those involving foreign actors.

In practice, the burden of such directions is likely to fall disproportionately on smaller, local actors—independent media, civil society groups, opposition parties, and ordinary citizens. This may risk exacerbating existing power imbalances and could have a chilling effect on public participation.

In this regard, greater clarity on the thresholds, safeguards, and intended scope of such provisions would be helpful. Continued review, alongside engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, can support efforts to ensure that responses to misinformation remain balanced, transparent, and aligned with fundamental freedoms.

As Singapore continues to strengthen its approach to combating misinformation, we urge the Government to consider the importance that these efforts also uphold public trust and an open, inclusive civic space for all Singaporeans.

MARUAH

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[Statement] Enactment of Capital Punishment Legislation in Israel

4 April 2026

We at MARUAH state our firm condemnation of the recent passage of legislation by the Israeli Knesset that mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terror-related offenses. This law represents a profound regression in human rights and a violation of the fundamental right to life, which is the cornerstone of international law and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

The introduction of capital punishment within a legal system that already faces scrutiny for its treatment of Palestinians creates a discriminatory and two-tiered judicial regime. By specifically targeting one population and stripping judges of the discretion to consider individual circumstances, this law undermines the principles of justice, equality, and due process.

Furthermore, the expansion of the death penalty to military courts in the occupied territories exacerbates an already volatile situation. History has shown that such measures do not serve as an effective deterrent; rather, they risk fueling further cycles of violence and resentment.

We call upon the Israeli government to immediately repeal this legislation and uphold its obligations under international human rights treaties. The pursuit of security must never come at the expense of basic human dignity and the universal rejection of state-sanctioned killing.

MARUAH

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