Wee Yeong Wei, Braema Mathi and Alex Au (not in picture) represented Maruah Singapore at the celebrations organised by the Burmese community in Singapore to mark the 64th birthday of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The event was held at the Burmese temple on Tai Gin Road, on Sunday, 21 June 2009.

We wish Daw Aung San Suu Kyi a birthday where she will take comfort that we are all from different parts of the world, hoping for her release and praying for her in our own way.

We from MARUAH also take this opportunity to state that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should have been freed by now to enjoy her birthday in the company of friends and well-wishers. She has done no wrong other than to stand in an election. The government of Myanmar must release her. We urge all ASEAN leaders to secure her release and be committed to that end. It has gone on too long – not another day more, please.

Sunday, 31 May 2009, Hong Lim Park, Singapore. Organised by Maruah Singapore.

Singaporeans from all walks of life, joined by the Burmese community in Singapore, hold a peace vigil for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi.

More photos after the break…

Courtesy of Patrick Chng from MARUAH.

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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the democratically-held elections in 1990, has been under house arrest for almost two decades. On 18th May 2009, she was charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest and stood trial. She has borne her trials with dignity. Yet they continue unabated. The world has honoured her with a Nobel Peace Prize and lobbied tirelessly for her freedom but there is a growing helplessness towards the situation as the Myanmar junta continues to keep her in detention without trial.

We find the situation untenable. It will be a grave injustice if we all were to stand by and let this courageous citizen spend all her days as a prisoner. She is due for release at the end of May.

Many among us know that it will not happen. We need to show ASEAN solidarity at the civil society level and act together to ask for her freedom.

Let us then come together throughout ASEAN on the same day at the same time to demand for her freedom. Can we show solidarity by wearing some yellow in our clothing, hold a candlelight vigil and let off 19 yellow-coloured balloons (one for each year she has been under arrest) with her portrait, into the skies?

Come.
Have your silence heard.

This event is jointly organised by MARUAH(SWGAHRM) with other regional NGOs.

Attached is an advisory for all parties interested in joining us for the event.

Amnesty International, in the section on Singapore, part of its worldwide review for 2008, highlighted “heavy penalties and restrictive measures imposed on opposition activists, journalists and human rights defenders”. It also noted Singapore’s formal dissociation from the UN General Assembly’s resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty

Tex of report follows: 

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Source.

SINGAPORE
REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE
Head of state: S. R. Nathan
Head of government: Lee Hsien Loong
Death penalty: retentionist
Population: 4.5 million
Life expectancy: 79.4 years
Under-5 mortality (m/f): 4/4 per 1,000
Adult literacy: 92.5 per cent

An easing of restrictions on freedom of assembly was overshadowed by heavy penalties and restrictive measures imposed on opposition activists, journalists and human rights defenders. Suspected Islamic militants remained detained without charge or trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA), amid concerns that some were at risk of torture and other ill-treatment during questioning. Foreign domestic workers continued to be excluded from legislation protecting the rights of foreign workers. Singapore rejected the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on executions. At least five prisoners faced imminent execution, although the number of actual executions was unknown.

Repression of dissent

Defamation suits and restrictive measures continued against opposition activists, human rights defenders, foreign media and conscientious objectors. A climate of fear and self-censorship discouraged Singaporeans from fully participating in public affairs.

• In September, the High Court ruled that the Far Eastern Economic Review magazine had defamed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in an article about opposition leader Chee Soon Juan in 2006. The publisher was ordered to pay damages.
• The Wall Street Journal Asia faced legal action for reporting that the judiciary was not independent.
• In September, blogger Gopalan Nair was sentenced to three months in jail after criticizing a judge’s handling of a case involving opposition leaders.
• In October, Chee Soon Juan, who was already bankrupt, and activist Chee Siok Chin were ordered to pay S$610,000 (US$414,000) in defamation damages to government leaders. They were subsequently sentenced to prison for contempt of court after criticizing the conduct of their trial. As bankrupts they were barred from seeking parliamentary seats or leaving the country without permission.

Freedom of expression and assembly

The government eased restrictions on public assembly (in one designated location), but continued imposing restrictions on media and peaceful demonstrations.

• The film One Nation Under Lee was banned. The film depicted the former Prime Minister subjugating various government institutions.
• Eighteen campaigners faced charges for holding unauthorized protest marches against the rising cost of living.

Migrants’ rights

Singapore failed to provide basic protection for foreign domestic workers, such as a standard number of working hours and rest days, minimum wage and access to employment benefits. The Employment of Foreign Workers Act continued to exclude domestic workers.

Detention without trial

Some 23 suspected Islamist militants remained detained under the ISA. There were continued concerns about the risk of torture and other illtreatment following arrest. Five detainees were released on restriction orders.

Death penalty

At least five people convicted of murder faced imminent execution. The government did not provide comprehensive information about application of the death penalty, such as the number of executions and death sentences imposed and the nationality, age and background of those executed. In February 2008, Singapore initiated and signed a statement of disassociation objecting to a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on the use of the death penalty. In December, Singapore voted against a second UN General Assembly resolution calling for a worldwide moratorium on executions.

Freedom of religion

Twenty-six Jehovah’s Witnesses continued to be imprisoned for refusing compulsory military service. Five additional conscientious objectors were detained during the year.

From 25 April to 1 May 2009

COMMUNICATIONS from 22 to 28 April 2009

• 14 communications (10 Urgent Appeals and 4 Allegation Letters) sent to 12 countries
• 11 joint communications
• Of 14 individual cases, 4 concerned women

COUNTRY VISITS

• From 27 April to 8 May 2009, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ms. Asma Jahangir, is conducting a visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Serbia, and Kosovo. During her mission, Ms. Jahangir is holding meetings with various officials responsible for matters of religion or belief, representatives of religious or belief communities, civil society organizations, United Nations and regional organizations. At the end of her mission to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Special Rapporteur issued a press statement with her preliminary remarks which is available here.
• From 27 April to 9 May 2009, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, Mr. Michel Forst, is conducting a visit to Haiti. During his mission, he will meet with government authorities, members of the civil society and of the international community. The Independent Expert will focus his visit on the question of economic and social rights.
• From 28 to 30 April 2009, the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, Mr. Cephas Lumina, is conducting a visit to Norway, followed by a visit to Ecuador, from 1 to 9 May 2009. The full press statement announcing the visit is available here.
• From 5 to 14 May 2009, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Manfred Nowak, will undertake an official visit to Kazakhstan. During his mission, the Special Rapporteur will meet with Government officials, national human rights institutions, civil society members and representatives of the United Nations agencies and international organizations. The full press statement announcing the visit is available here.

PREPARATION FOR VISITS

• From 17 to 28 August, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Mr. James Anaya, will conduct an official visit to Australia.
• The Government of Senegal accepted the request for a visit of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Ms. Najat M’jid Maala. Dates have not been agreed yet.

PUBLIC STATEMENTS

• On 29 April 2009 the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of people to self determination issued a statement expressing their grave concern with regard to allegations that mercenaries were involved in plot against Bolivian authorities. The full press statement is available here.

HUMAN RIGHTS STORIES/POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS

Iran: On 7 and 8 April 2009 respectively, Mahboubeh Karami and Khadijeh Moghaddam were released on bail. They had been arrested, together with ten other persons, on 26 March 2009, as they prepared to make Iranian New Year visits to the families of detained activists, including students and trade unionists. The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of the human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and its consequences, had taken on their case with a communication sent on 11 April 2009.

Sri Lanka: On 24 April 2009, Mr. N. Vithyatharan, the editor of the Tamil daily “Sudar oil”,.was released. Mr. Vithyatharan, who had been held by police since 26 February 2009, accused of having links with Tamil Tiger rebels, was cleared by the Colombo Criminal Division for lack of evidence. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression had taken upon his case in a communication sent on 24 August 2006 and 25 August 2006.

United Kingdom: On 28 January 2009, Ms. Nadya Azizullah, an Afghan woman living in the UK, was recognized as a refugee by an immigration judge, as well as being a person at risk of treatment contrary to the article 3 of the ECHR. The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences had taken on her case with a communication sent on 2 February 2009.

MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

On 27 April 2009, the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Mr. Olivier de Schutter, attended in Rome the first meeting of the Contact Group, established by FAO, in order to advise on the reform of the World Committee on Food Security. He also prepared a note which contains his proposals for this reform.

From 27 to 28 April 2009, the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation, Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, held an expert consultation on the human rights obligations related to sanitation, and a public consultation on the same topic on 29 April. The meeting discussed a wide variety of issues related to sanitation, including quality, physical accessibility, availability, acceptability, non-discrimination, participation and access to information. The meeting also considered possible definitions of sanitation in human rights terms. The inputs from the consultations will be used by the Independent Expert in drafting her next report to the Human Rights Council, which will focus on this issue.

From 20 to 22 April 2009, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Mr. James Anaya, participated in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.

On 30 April 2009, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Yakin Ertürk, participated in public hearings on “Women in Turkey” organized by the Committee on Women’s rights and gender equality of the European Parliament, in Brussels.

On 30 April 2009, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Mr. Martin Scheinin, met in Geneva with the International Commission of Jurists to discuss cooperation regarding the joint study on secret detentions and also on a compilation of good practices regarding oversight of intelligence agencies in the counter terrorism context.

From 4 to 8 May 2009, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention will hold its 54th session in Geneva. The Working Group will examine cases of alleged arbitrary detention, analyze thematic and country related issues, and discuss cooperation with other special procedures mandate holders. The Working Group will also hold meetings with Government delegations and engage with representatives of non-governmental organizations.

ISSUES OF INTEREST OR CONCERN TO ALL MANDATE HOLDERS

MAJOR EVENTS

The 16th Annual Meeting of special procedures mandate holders will take place in Geneva from 29 June to 3 July 2009. Letters of invitation will be sent out in early May.

The 15th Annual Meeting of special procedures mandate holders took place in Geneva from 23-27 June 2008. The report of the fifteenth Annual Meeting was submitted to the Human Rights Council at its 10th session in March 2009. More information is available here and on the SP Extranet:

DOCUMENTS/PUBLICATIONS

The report on conclusions and recommendations of special procedures (8th, 9th and 10th sessions) is now available here.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

MEETINGS AND PROGRAMME OF WORK

The 5ht session of the UPR Working Group will take place from 4 to 15 May 2009. The 16 States to be considered at this session are the following: Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Afghanistan, Uruguay, Belize, Chile, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Slovakia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The 11th session of the Human Rights Council will take place from 2 to 18 June 2009.

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF MANDATE HOLDERS

Nominations are made from candidates on the Public List. Nominations for the Public List can be submitted continuously, and the Public List is updated by OHCHR on a regular basis. Further information relating to the selection and appointment procedure can be found here.

The Human Rights Council will approve the appointment of five new mandate-holders at the eleventh session of the Council in June 2009: African descent (member for the Group of Western and other States); arbitrary detention (member for the Group of Western and other States); enforced disappearances (member for the Asian Group), independence of judges and lawyers and violence against women.

The deadline for submitting nominations of candidates to be considered for appointment during the June session of the Council was 8 April 2009. The Consultative Group met on 14 and 16 April to review proposed candidates. Its shortlist will be submitted to the President no later than 2 May.

Until June 2009, the members of the Consultative Group, which recommends candidates to the President, and whose members are appointed by the regional groups of the Human Rights Council but serve in their personal capacity, are:

Ambassador Alejandro Artucio, Permanent Representative of Uruguay

Ambassador Petko Draganov, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria

Ambassador Javier Garrigues Flórez, Permanent Representative of Spain

Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka

Ambassador Babacar Carlos Mbaye, Permanent Representative of Senegal

Please see below for a press release from the Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo on the ASEAN Human Rights Body.

ASEAN People Deserves Full Human Rights—Romulo

April 8, 2009 by DFA-PISU

PR-169-09, 08 April 2009—Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo called on the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to hasten the creation of an effective and credible ASEAN human rights body to fully protect and promote individual and collective freedoms in the region.

Citing the pioneering effort to establish an ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB), Dr. Romulo said the regional organization “must ensure the body is focused on strengthening human rights values, so that it can become an institution for building democratic states and a democratic regional community in Southeast Asia.”

Romulo emphasized that need to make human freedoms the centerpiece of regional growth and civilization in remarks delivered at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Hua Hin, Thailand.

He said the ASEAN should derive its inspiration from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights drafted and adopted by the United Nations more than 60 years ago. The Declaration “came to embody the core values and common standard of inalienable rights for all of mankind,” Romulo said, recalling that the Philippines, together with 11 Asian countries, was one of the states that drafted the landmark document.

ASEAN, therefore, need not start from a clean slate, but should rather aim “to build and improve on existing universally accepted human rights by adding value to these standards,” the foreign secretary said. He described the ASEAN spadework to create the AHRB “remarkable” for being the first human rights institution for a regional community.

But human rights must have a single norm, a universal standard “applicable to one and all without exception,” Dr. Romulo stressed. To launch the human rights body on an auspicious beginning, he challenged ASEAN, beginning with Myanmar, to recognize national shortcomings in the matter of human rights and take steps to protect basic freedom.

Romulo added, “As part of this process of self-examination, I believe it is time the government of Myanmar carried out its own “Roadmap for Democracy”: its avowed program of releasing political detainees, including the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi; unfettering the National League for Democracy, and allowing its unconditional participation in free national elections. Since its acceptance into the ASEAN family in 1997, the government of Myanmar has been declaring its commitment to democracy and promising a process of national reconciliation. Fulfilling these commitments is long overdue.

“For the Myanmar government to fulfill these commitments before the launching of the AHRB would be a compelling act of goodwill and sincerity. It would make AHRB credible not only to the world community but even more important – to our own peoples.”

Romulo said, he sees that AHRB as the overarching institution that deals with all aspects of human rights – consulting, coordinating and collaborating with relevant ASEAN bodies on women, children and migrant workers – to promote synergy and coherence in ASEAN’s promotion and protection of human rights. Future committees and working groups relating to human rights in ASEAN should work under its framework, he added.

He expressed support for Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda’s proposal that the AHRB disseminate human rights norms and educate the people in their entitlements and expectations from the human rights body.

Dr. Romulo predicted that once the AHRB has proved its efficacy, calling it by proper name, “ASEAN Council for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights,” would accord it the “level of prestige and significance appropriate to its work within the ASEAN framework.”

Please click here for the report on the public consultation organised by MARUAH on the ASEAN Human Rights Body on 11 March 2009.