ALIRAN, 22 Dec 2011In Singapore, the peoples’ voice is gathering for greater change towards a more democratic and accountable system. The May 2011 general election produced a parliament with more elected opposition members. The presidential elections also produced a government-favoured president with the lowest vote share ever.
And less known to people, Singapore’s human rights record was for the first time examined in the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Universal Periodic Review. In 1965, Singapore joined the United Nations and is bound to respect, fulfil, promote and protect human rights in the UDHR.
It was therefore most disappointing that our government has rejected recommendations for greater civil liberties, to repeal the death penalty, abolish outdated emergency laws such as the Internal Security Act, as well as for the establishment of a national human rights institution and an independent elections commission. Such is the state of our fundamental freedoms. Full story
