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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
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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Posted by lee sze yong
Today is International Migrants Day. In 2000 the UN General Assembly proclaimed 18th December as International Migrants Day to raise attention to the rights of the large and increasing number of migrants in the world. In 1990 the General Assembly adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
In Singapore, MARUAH, a human rights organisation, observes International Migrants Day by commenting on the treatment of foreign workers by employers in Singapore in general, in light of the recent incidents of foreign workers refusing to work. In particular, we encourage Singaporeans and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to give full effect to the new policy of giving a Day Off to foreign domestic workers starting in the 1st week of January 2013. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by lee sze yong
We refer to the recent denial of entry of the MV Nosco Victory carrying 40 people rescued off the coast of Myanmar.
MARUAH, a human rights group, would like to praise the Captain of the MV Nosco Victory Mr Nguyen Dinh Hoa for rescuing the Rohingyas at sea, saving many lives and observing the honour code among seafarers.
We would also like to make three points for Singaporeans and the Singapore authorities to consider. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by lee sze yong
Today is the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. MARUAH, as a human rights organisation, stands in solidarity with human rights defenders and sex workers worldwide to observe and commemorate this day, dedicated to the protection of the rights, safety, and dignity of sex workers.
Sex workers in most parts of the world are in a marginalised and discriminated segment of society. Their rights as sex workers include the right to safe sex, right to fair wages, right to protection from abuse, right for sex work to be recognised and be seen as work, right to form associations for mutual support and protection, and the right to not be discriminated against.
In Singapore, despite the presence of licensed brothels, there is a growing community of sex workers who are freelancing. They risk being exploited. MARUAH would like to raise awareness to their plight, even though they are operating outside the licensed brothels.
Some among them as well as those working in licensed brothels may be forced or sold into prostitution. These women and men, usually young, who are identified as trafficked persons, must be given protection, and they should not be criminalised and re-victimised by the authorities, in the process.
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Posted by lee sze yong
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