SG Human Rights

Straits Times - Dec 10, 2007

By Keith Lin

A group of human rights activists yesterday called for a human rights commission to be set up in Singapore.

The petition comes from SG Human Rights, a nine-member informal group set up in October following the July decision by Asean, the Association of South-east Asian Nations, to include a provision for a human rights body in the Asean Charter.

The petition launch at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park was one of several activities held around the island at the weekend to commemorate Human Rights Day.

The day marks the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec 10, 1948.

Founding member of SG Human Rights Chia Ti Lik, a lawyer and former Workers' Party member, said the group felt that more attention needed to be paid to human rights if Singapore was to become a truly First World nation.

He hopes for an independent panel that will check human rights abuses and educate the public on human rights issues.

The group yesterday also invited members of the public to express their views on human rights at the Speakers' Corner.

Despite the heavy rain, eight speakers showed up to address a crowd of about 30 people.

The speakers included opposition politicians Chee Soon Juan and Jufrie Mahmood, as well as social activist Bridget Lew.

Former Workers' Party chief J.B. Jeyaretnam was scheduled to speak, but failed to make the trip due to a flood outside his home in Johor Baru.

The speakers addressed a range of issues, from protection of foreign workers' rights to the death penalty and lack of youth activism.

Also commemorating International Human Rights Day yesterday was the Singapore Working Committee for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism.

Its volunteers spent yesterday afternoon distributing stickers highlighting the plight of the Myanmar people and calling on Asean to sustain the pressure on the military junta.

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Are there issues concerning society, community and the individual that you feel are of importance yet nothing seems to be done?

Every day, as you turn the newspaper, you find good news: economic growth, academic records bested, awards and medals won; yet also, bad ones: violence against civilians and communities, the use of force and coercion to crush dissent, the continued existence of poverty and widening income gap, child and maid abuse.

What does it mean to be human? What rights do each of us have? What can we do about it?

10 December is Human Rights Day and anniversary of the 1948 UN adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights where respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of each and every person is recognised as "the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world".

The year 2007 also marks the 20th anniversary of Operation Spectrum when 22 individuals were arrested under the Internal Security Act, on the alleged grounds of a "Marxist conspiracy".

SG Human Rights will mark the occasion on 9 December, Sunday, at Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park. We will relaunch the petition drive to call for the formation of an independent national human rights commission and speak on issues of fundamental liberties. Others who will speak include Mr J.B. Jeyaratnam, Mr Mohd Jufrie Mahmood and Mr Jolovan Wham (of HOME).

Listen to what others have to say. Or even, speak. Exercise your freedom of expression, for Speakers' Corner is for all Singaporeans. Join us in commemorating Human Rights Day.

Date: 9 December 2007, Sunday
Time: 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Place: Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park (Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay)

What you may need:

• NRIC (for registration purposes if you wish to speak)
• Umbrella (in case of bad weather)