MARUAH Singapore

MARUAH submitted the letter below to the Straits Times forum on 29 July 2013. It was not published.

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29 July 2013
The Editor
Forum Page
The Straits Times

Dear Sir,

We refer to the articles “Fierce struggle lasted about 30 min” (ST, July 20 2013) and the Attorney General Chambers’ (AGC) response “AGC clarifies why no Coroner’s Inquiry was held for prison inmate’s death” (ST Online, 25 July 2013 9.18 pm).

We extend our condolences to the family of Mr Dinesh. We also raise our concerns here. Read the rest of this entry »

MARUAH has written a letter to the Straits Times Forum, following the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/further-ways-ensure-equality-disabled-people-20130724

Further ways to ensure equality for disabled people

LAST Saturday’s report (“S’pore ratifies UN accord on disabled rights”) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s press statement last Friday highlighted Singapore’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Read the rest of this entry »

This letter was sent to ST Forum on 2 May 2013, but was not published.

To:
The Editor
Forum Page
The Straits Times

Dear Sir,

We refer to the joint statement by the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Home Affairs (“Joint Response to Media Queries on Statements by NGOs/individuals and Former SMRT Driver He Junling”, 26 April 2013.) The statement accuses the NGOs and individuals involved in the SMRT drivers’ case of “hindering the investigation while continuing to cast aspersions on the integrity of the police.” It also claims that the NGOs and individuals have exploited vulnerable foreign workers for their own political ends. Read the rest of this entry »

This letter was sent to ST Forum on 30 April 2013, but was not published.

To:
The Editor
Forum Page
The Straits Times

Dear Sir,

We refer to the reply “No to exploiting NGOs/VWOs for Political Ends” from the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and note with thanks Mr Ho’s response on behalf of the government.
Read the rest of this entry »

Please see below for MARUAH’s letter to the Straits Times forum.

27 April 2013

What’s the stand on politicians serving in NGOs and VWOs?

I REFER to the statement by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim to the effect that money given by the state to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) should not be used “for the purpose of creating a platform for people to be involved in partisan politics” (“AMP director quits, alleging official pressure”; Wednesday). Read the rest of this entry »

MARUAH sent a letter to the Straits Times Forum following a news article on abortion. Our letter was published in the Sunday Times on 24th March 2013.

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Pre-abortion counselling: Access should be equal for all

As a human rights group, Maruah objects to the conditions for offering counselling services to women and girls seeking abortions (“Abortions in Singapore“; last Sunday).

Though we recognise that having an abortion is a personal choice, counselling is a means to help women and girls cope with their decisions.

On that premise, we find the Government’s conditions for offering pre-abortion counselling – a minimum Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) qualification, being a mother to fewer than three children, not being a rape victim or a foreigner – appalling as they deny some women and older teens access to counselling. Read the rest of this entry »

We refer to the article “Shanmugam Speaks Out Against Delhi Gang Rape” (30th Dec 2012, The Straits Times). We start by offering our condolences to the victim’s family, and are sorry for the pain and trauma inflicted on her and her boyfriend. Read the rest of this entry »