Advocacy awards for 10 groups, individuals

4 September 2014

Ten individuals and organisations who made major contributions to the growth of civil society in Singapore in the last three years were honoured at the inaugural Singapore Advocacy Awards.

They are, in alphabetical order:
ACRES (animal welfare organisation)
All Things Bukit Brown (heritage preservation movement)
Braema Mathi (human rights advocate)
Chan Li Shan (mental health advocate)
Damien Chng (second chances advocate)
Eugene Tay (environmental sustainability advocate)
Jeremy Boo and Lee Xian Jie (social issue filmmakers)
Louis Ng (animal welfare advocate)
M Ravi (human rights lawyer)
Pink Dot (freedom to love movement)

Braema Mathi and Louis Ng both won the “Advocate of the Year” award. Read the rest of this entry »

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UN Sec-Gen report on Responsibility to Protect

24 August 2014

The United Nations secretary-general has issued a report that outlines the ways in which national, regional and international actors can assist States in fulfilling their responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

The report can be downloaded at the link below.
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A%2F68%2F947

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TOC report on MARUAH event “Pulp Friction”

6 August 2014

Please see link below for a media report by The Online Citizen (TOC) on MARUAH’s recent event on our right to information and freedom of expression.

http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/08/pulp-friction-challenging-norms-and-legislation/

Are we muzzled? Are we getting access to information? Can we cope with diversity of views? What is the role of public institutions like the National Library Board? Who are they supposed to serve and how? How do we ensure that our personal values also have a space in secular Singapore?

These were some of the questions that arose from the recent near-pulping of two library book titles that were deemed to contain “non-pro-family” content, which MARUAH, a human rights NGO in Singapore, attempted to answer by organising a forum last Sunday, titled “Pulp Friction: Our Right to Information and Right to Expression”…

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PULP FRICTION: Our Right To Information & Right To Expression

20 July 2014

pulp friction
Are we muzzled?
Are we getting access to information?
Can we cope with a diversity of views?

What is the role of public institutions like our Library?
Who are they supposed to serve and how?
How do we ensure that our personal values also have a space in secular Singapore?

MARUAH is organising a forum discussion on the topic:

PULP FRICTION: Our Right To Information & Right To Expression

Our panelists will give you a comprehensive take on the right to information and expression. They will share thoughts on the recent NLB saga, governance of the Arts and how we need to look at Conflicts in other countries.

Come and be a part of this important conversation.

Event Details:
Date: 3rd August 2014 (Sunday)
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Venue: Blk 231 Bain Street
#04-41 Bras Bash Complex
Singapore 180231
Directions

To register for this event please click the link below.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGxvZGVWWkxka0hjNS1iTXpPY0ZQNGc6MA

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Statement calls for greater dialogue on LGBT issue

23 June 2014

A group of individuals and civil society organisations have endorsed a statement, calling for compassion, dialogue, and mutual understanding on LGBTQ issues.

The full statement can be viewed at the link below.

A CALL FOR COMPASSION, DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING ON LGBTQ ISSUES
http://compassion.marquee.by/statement/

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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – What Happens After 2015?

19 June 2014

mdg
MARUAH invites you to join us for an interactive discussion on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The MDGs are 8 international development goals that were set in 2000 by the United Nations with the support of member states and various international organisations. Read the rest of this entry »

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MARUAH letter on situation in Thailand

15 June 2014

MARUAH recently wrote a letter to the Thai ambassador in Singapore, and also the Thai representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission On Human Rights, regarding the current situation in Thailand.

—————————————————————–

6th June 2014

HE. Marut Jitpatima
Ambassador
Royal Thai Embassy Singapore

HE. Dr Seree Nonthasoot
Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission On Human Rights (AICHR)

Respect For Human Rights And Democratic Values Is Paramount 

MARUAH, a human rights organisation in Singapore, expresses grave concerns over the manner in which human rights are being gradually but systematically eroded since the military takeover and also over the suspension of the Thai Constitution. The imposition of martial law allows the military sweeping powers to restrict human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Press Statement – Termination Of Services Of Mr Roy Ngerng

12 June 2014

MARUAH is concerned over the process and the reasons offered for terminating the services of Mr Roy Ngerng, a patient coordinator at the Communicable Diseases Centre at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).

In TTSH’s Press Statement two reasons were cited for the termination. The first being that Mr Ngerng had used the hospital’s time and resources for personal interests and did not take heed of the warning letter given to him in May this year. The second reason was one of “conduct (that was) incompatible with the values and standards expected of employees”. While acknowledging that TTSH staff were free to pursue personal interests outside work, it was expected that “they must conduct themselves properly, honourably and with integrity” and “cannot defame someone else without basis, which essentially means knowingly stating a falsehood to the public.”

The Ministry of Health (MOH) also issued a Press Statement to support TTSH’s decision and to say that Mr Ngerng’s “actions show a lack of integrity and are incompatible with the values and standards of behaviour expected of hospital employees”. Read the rest of this entry »

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World Day Against Child Labour

12 June 2014

World Day Against Child Labour was started by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 to draw attention to the need for political will to combat the scourge of child labour.

According to the ILO there are currently over 168 million child labourers all over the world. That is, globally an average of one in ten children is being exploited. They work in industries as diverse as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, construction, fishing, retail, transportation, food and beverage and even hospitality. The majority of child labourers are involved in hazardous work or work that poses a risk to their health and safety.

In Singapore we are fortunate enough to be in environment where children are not exposed to such exploitation. But as consumers we need to be cognizant that eliminating child labour must become a priority for each and every one of us. The Asia and Pacific region alone has the largest number of child labourers at 78 million or 9.3% of the total child population. Read the rest of this entry »

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MARUAH calls for rebuttal of blogger Roy Ngerng’s statements on Singapore PM, not legal action

21 May 2014

MEDIA STATEMENT
For immediate use

21 May 2014

MARUAH is dismayed over the Prime Minister’s first step action of issuing a letter of demand to ‘Heart Truths’ blogger Mr Roy Ngerng, asking for an apology, a retraction of the blog post and compensation for damages and legal costs to the Prime Minister.

We are concerned that these actions on the part of the Prime Minister will further shrink the space for public discourse in Singapore. Robust debates, diverse views, critical inquiries, in addition to a healthy media landscape, are all critical to the development of a functional democracy. A healthy and engaged society calls for diverse, independent voices who will need the space to express their views and face sharp rebuttals if their views are found wanting or even false. These are the first steps to robust critical discourse: being transparent and open. Read the rest of this entry »

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