• British author Alan Shadrake arriving at the Supreme Court in Singapore on November 3, 2010. Shadrake served a six-week contempt of court sentence for “scandalizing the judiciary” in his book Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock.
    © 2010 Reuters
    Singapore: Stop Hiding Behind Old Excuses

    The Singapore government should cease violating fundamental free expression rights citing self-serving historical and cultural justifications that only tarnish Singapore’s global image, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.

     

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  • Human Rights in Singapore

    Election returns brought no changes to Singapore’s reliance on the Internal Security Act to hold, without charge or judicial review,those suspected of subversion, espionage, and terrorism. Laws requiring mandatory death sentences, judicial caning, and criminalization of male same-sex relations remain in force. Government authorities still curtail rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly. They deny legitimacy to associations of ten or more, if they deem the groups “prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order. ” The government requires police permits for five or more people planning a public event, and it uses contempt of court, criminal and civil defamation, and sedition charges to rein in critics.  

Reports

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    Abuses against Domestic Workers Around the World
  • Maid to Order
    Ending Abuses Against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore

Singapore

  • Singapore: Stop Hiding Behind Old Excuses
    Jan 23, 2012

    The Singapore government should cease violating fundamental free expression rights citing self-serving historical and cultural justifications that only tarnish Singapore’s global image, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.

     

  • Singapore: UPR Outcome
    Oct 5, 2011

    Singapore’s UPR report focuses on its commitments to improving the social and economic well-being of the population through the delivery of enhanced health services, educational opportunities, and housing upgrades.

  • Singapore: Adopt UN Rights Recommendations
    Sep 21, 2011

    Singapore should accept recommendations from other states on crucial civil and political rights issues given during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

  • ASEAN: Reject Burma as Regional Group’s Chair
    May 5, 2011
    Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should reject Burma's request to chair the regional grouping in 2014 until the Burmese government takes genuine steps towards improving human rights, including the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners.
  • Singapore: UN Rights Body Should Press for Fundamental Freedoms
    May 4, 2011
    United Nations member states should denounce Singapore's severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly during the country's first-ever Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
  • Singapore: Court to Hear Appeal by Critic of Judiciary
    Apr 8, 2011
    On April 11, 2011, the Singapore Court of Appeal will hear the case of Alan Shadrake, a British author whose book criticized the Singaporean judiciary. The outcome of Shadrake’s appeal of his contempt of court conviction could have important implications for free expression in Singapore.
  • Singapore UPR Submission Addendum
    Apr 3, 2011
    Although Singapore's constitution guarantees rights to free expression, peaceful assembly, and association, these rights are severely restricted in practice.
  • Singapore: Drop Charges Against Opposition Leader
    Feb 8, 2011
    The Singaporean government should drop politically motivated charges brought in 2006 against opposition party leader Dr. Chee Soon Juan that will lead to a prison term on February 10, 2011, if he does not pay a fine.
  • Singapore: Hocus Pocus Hides Rights Abuses
    Jan 25, 2011
    Singapore’s stated goal of updating its political system in time for the 2011 elections should include revamping laws, policies, and practices that fail to comply with international human rights standards.
  • Singapore: Drop Charges Against Author Who Raised Rights Concerns
    Nov 8, 2010
    The Singapore government should exonerate a British author who was convicted for contempt of court for his criticism of Singapore’s justice system.
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