Betraying human rights, ASEAN style

15 May 2012

An opinion article that appeared in The Nation, a Thai newspaper, by Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Since it was established, AICHR has refused to release a single document related to the drafting of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration – including its terms of reference, the names of the drafters, and actual drafts of the declaration. Nor has AICHR met as a regional body with civil society representatives, despite repeated requests to do so. When it comes to public participation, AICHR has been nothing short of a full-blown train wreck. The peoples of ASEAN should be asking how a purported “human rights commission” can operate while continually refusing to talk to those whose rights it is supposed to protect?

Link here.

Leave a Comment » | ASEAN, News stories | Permalink
Posted by lee sze yong

30 things learned at the Oslo Freedom Forum

15 May 2012

David Rowan, editor of the UK edition of WIRED magazine, highlights 30 things that he learned at the Oslo Freedom Forum.

The power of the event — whose sponsors include Sergey Brin’s and Peter Thiel’s charitable foundations — lies in the seamless mix of grassroots activists, many of whom have risked their lives to speak out, and the top-level policymakers and influencers who can act on what they learn. You might run into Hollywood glamour in Julia Ormond, or world-class philanthropists such as Omidyar Network’s Pam Omidyar — but the real stars were the former political prisoners, child slaves, torture victims and tribal-rights campaigners who had in many cases taken big risks in order to travel to Norway. And each one I spoke to made me understand just how vital the role of the western media can be in articulating their stories and, in an oft-heard phrase, speaking truth to power.

More at the link here.

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Posted by lee sze yong

That we may dream again: Chiam’s finest hour

15 May 2012

To mark the 25th anniversary of Operation Spectrum in which 15 (later 16) Singaporeans were detained under the Internal Security Act, the Singapore People’s Party with ‘Achtung! Productions’ – a student initiative – will present a staged re-enactment of the parliamentary session in which Mr Chiam See Tong, the sole opposition MP at that time, tabled a motion calling for the release of the alleged Marxist conspirators who were detained without trial.

More details here.

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MARUAH commemorates 25th anniversary of ISA arrests under alleged Marxist conspiracy

15 May 2012

MARUAH commemorates 25th anniversary of ISA arrests under alleged Marxist conspiracy

On 19th May 2012, MARUAH will join several other organisations in commemorating the 25th anniversary of the arrest of 24 persons during Operation Spectrum under the Internal Security Act (ISA), for an alleged Marxist conspiracy.

The ISA allows detention without trial (for potentially indefinite periods). Prior to the 1987 arrests, the ISA was also used in 1963 (Operation Cold Store) and 1970s. Chia Thye Poh was detained for 23 years under the ISA, from 1966 to 1989. [Note: Mr Chia was placed under house arrest in Sentosa from 1989 to 1998] More recently, the ISA has been used to detain Jemaah Islamiyah alleged terrorists from 2001 onwards. None of the ISA detainees have ever been tried or convicted in a court of law.

Read the rest of this entry »

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MARUAH statement: World Press Freedom Day

3 May 2012

Dear Members, Volunteers and Friends,

Today is World Press Freedom Day. It is important that we acknowledge this date to

  1. celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;
  2. assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;
  3. defend the media from attacks on their independence;
  4. pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

As a human rights advocacy group, MARUAH has reported on limited media freedom in Singapore at the Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process last year.

MARUAH calls upon the Singapore government to also observe this day and in doing so, consider review of the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA) to give freedom to the media. Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by lee sze yong

MARUAH Labour Day statement

2 May 2012

Dear Members, Volunteers and Friends,

Today is Labour Day. MARUAH would like to wish all Singaporean and foreign workers a happy Labour Day!

We would like to appreciate the work put in, on a daily basis, by all in Singapore. A worker needs to be respected not just on May 1st but everyday.

The government is increasing its efforts to offer more protection and security to workers. In the recent year these are some of the efforts:

  1. More measures to enable workers to upgrade skills,
  2. More measures to protect workers with regard to Workplace Safety and Health,
  3. Incentives to hire persons with disabilities (PWDs),
  4. Legislation on mandatory day-off for Foreign Domestic Workers,
  5. Anti-discrimination campaign in workplaces by fair employment watchdog, the Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices (TAFEP)

However, MARUAH is deeply concerned about two issues this Labour Day and seeks remedial action for two communities that need protection the most.

Read the rest of this entry »

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International Women’s Day – 2012 theme – “Empower rural women: End hunger and poverty”

7 March 2012

8th March is International Women’s Day. Please see below for a message from UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet.

Message of Michelle Bachelet Executive Director of UN Women on International Women’s Day 2012
International Women’s Day 2012
“Empower rural women: End hunger and poverty”

This International Women’s Day, I join women around the globe in solidarity for human rights, dignity and equality. This sense of mission drives me and millions of people around the world to pursue justice and inclusion. Looking back at the first year of UN Women, I applaud every individual, government and organization working for women’s empowerment and gender equality. I promise the highest commitment moving forward. The creation of UN Women has coincided with deep changes in our world –from rising protests against inequality to uprisings for freedom and democracy in the Arab world.

Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a Comment » | Media statements (by others), Position statements (3rd party) | Permalink
Posted by lee sze yong

MARUAH’s comments on the practice of threatening defamation lawsuits

5 March 2012

MARUAH is troubled by the recent incidents of politicians threatening defamation lawsuits against internet blogs and forums, and calls on our political and corporate leaders to refrain from using defamation lawsuits against political opponents and critics.

MARUAH recognises that individuals, including public figures, have a right to protect their reputations. However, that right needs to be balanced against the right to free speech.

When political leaders threaten defamation lawsuits against internet blogs and forums, there will invariably be a “chilling effect” on online political discourse. Such actions to protect one’s reputation carries a heavier “footprint” than necessary, and more appropriate responses to defamatory comments are possible, in today’s Web 2.0 world.

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Public consultation on ASEAN Human Rights Declaration – 9 March 2012

27 February 2012

The proposed ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) will establish a framework for human rights cooperation through various ASEAN conventions and other instruments dealing with human rights.

MARUAH is organising another public consultation on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD). Please join us for an update on the regional discussions on the proposed declaration.

We want your views on our working draft submission.

Date: 9th March 2012, Friday
Time: 7.15pm – 9pm
Venue: Training Room
Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
Blk 5 Dover Crescent
#01-22
Singapore 130005
[map]

To register, please complete the form below.
[Registration]

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Posted by lee sze yong

Recent news on ICSW

12 February 2012

Do visit MARUAH’s section on International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) to see recent updates, link below.

https://maruah.org/icsw/

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Posted by lee sze yong

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