Letter to ST Forum on civil society engagement

5 May 2013

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 »

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Reply to ST Forum letter on politicians in NGOs and VWOs

5 May 2013

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 »

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MARUAH forum letter on politicians in NGOs and VWOs

2 May 2013

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 »

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Public Forum – “Strike Out! The SMRT case, its implications and our experiences”

20 April 2013

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Join us at a public forum to discuss the recent SMRT strike, and its impact on human rights in Singapore.

Date & Time: 21 April 2013, 2.30pm
Location: conclave, 40 Tras Street [map]

RSVP at the Facebook event page here.

Seating is on a first come first serve basis and subject to capacity. Please arrive early for best seating.

Hosted by: Maruah Singapore, Think Centre, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) & Workfair Singapore

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MARUAH forum letter on abortion

1 April 2013

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 »

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Defending the Legitimacy of Singapore Elections: MARUAH Position Paper on Improving Citizen Confidence in the Secrecy of the Ballot

6 February 2013

MARUAH has published a position paper on voter confidence in ballot secrecy during elections in Singapore.

The paper studies the extent of voter confidence in ballot secrecy in Singapore elections and offers way to ensure that secrecy can be enhanced. On the basis of empirical evidence gathered from two surveys, MARUAH is setting out the view that a significant share of Singapore voters – approximately 10% – still cast their vote in fear that their ballots may be traced back to them by the authorities. This erodes the legitimacy of Singapore’s elections, undermines the standing of Parliament and violates the spirit of the 1971 declaration of Commonwealth principles signed by Singapore.

MARUAH sets out recommendations to address this problem so as to defend the perceived integrity of Singapore’s elections and to strengthen political stability by widening social acceptance of electoral outcomes.

MARUAH Position Paper on Improving Citizen Confidence in the Secrecy of the Ballot
ANNEX A – Country comparison
ANNEX B – Photographs

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World Report 2013 by Human Rights Watch – “Singapore: Running in Place on Human Rights”

1 February 2013

Human Rights Watch has released it’s 23rd annual World Report, providing a summary of human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide in 2012.

“In Singapore, the slight relaxation of mandatory death penalty laws and curbs on an opposition party leader did little to relieve the severe restrictions the government imposes on civil society, Human Rights Watch said.”

Singapore: Running in Place on Human Rights
Government Makes Little Progress Implementing Rights Reforms
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/01/singapore-running-place-human-rights

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Letter to TODAY Voices – Comments on defamation suits

9 January 2013

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC130109-0000012/Lawsuit-threats-put-muzzle-on-diverse-views

MARUAH, a human rights organisation, is concerned over the Prime Minister’s approach in demanding an apology and removal of the article and subsequent posts on the Action Information Management (AIM) and Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) matter on Mr Alex Au’s website.

These demands were made under threat of a defamation suit (“Blogger Au to remove post after PM Lee takes legal action”; Jan 5). In the recent past, defamation suits by political leaders have exacted high monetary compensations from the affected individuals. Read the rest of this entry »

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Letter to ST Forum on “Shanmugam Speaks Out Against Delhi Gang Rape”

4 January 2013

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 »

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Letter to Indian High Commissioner on gang rape case

31 December 2012

Please see below for MARUAH’s letter to the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore.

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Your Excellency,

We, members of a human rights group called MARUAH which is based in Singapore, would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and the people of India over the sad passing away of the 23-year-old woman who was brutally gang-raped. We are sorry that every effort made to save her life has failed. Read the rest of this entry »

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