Dear Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
In November of 2011, the Human Rights Foundation invited Dr. Chee Soon Juan -- one of your well-known critics and one of Singapore's most visible opposition leaders -- to speak at the 2012 Oslo Freedom Forum, taking place May 7, 8, and 9 in Norway. The forum is an annual gathering for promoting democracy, human rights, and justice.
Yesterday, we learned that Dr. Chee's application to leave Singapore to participate at the Oslo Freedom Forum was "not approved." I enclose a copy of an April 10 missive from Lydia Loh of the Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office -- an agency of your government -- denying Dr. Chee permission to exit Singapore and travel to Oslo.
Your government's travel ban on Dr. Chee is but the latest in a series of instances where he has been penalized for criticizing Singapore authorities.
and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (WikiMedia Commons)
In 1992, Dr. Chee began his political career while still teaching at the National University of Singapore (NUS), joining the opposition Singapore Democracy Party (SDP). In 1993, after running an unsuccessful SDP campaign for a parliamentary seat, he was charged with misuse of research funds and fired by the head of his department at NUS, who was a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). Dr. Chee argued that the charges were politically motivated. In return, three university officials sued him for defamation, obtaining a judgment of U.S. $350,000 in damages. Instead of declaring for bankruptcy, which would have prevented him from standing for election, Dr. Chee paid the sum by selling his house and possessions.
During the 2001 general elections, Dr. Chee questioned an alleged multi-billion dollar loan offered by the government of Singapore to the Suharto government of Indonesia. In return, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tok brought legal proceedings against Dr. Chee for defamation, as did your father, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, at that time senior minister. Dr. Chee was convicted and ordered to pay $350,000 in damages. Unable to pay this fine, in 2006 he was declared bankrupt, barred from standing for elections, and forced to seek government permission to travel overseas.
During the 2006 general elections, you and your father brought more defamation charges against Dr. Chee, this time for an article printed in the SDP newsletter, implying corruption in your government. Dr. Chee was convicted of libel and ordered to pay you and your father $416,000 in damages.
These are just three of the most prominent cases where Dr. Chee has been penalized for criticizing the government of Singapore. In the last 20 years he has been jailed for more than 130 days on charges including contempt of Parliament, speaking in public without a permit, selling books improperly, and attempting to leave the country without a permit. Today, your government prevents Dr. Chee from leaving Singapore because of his bankrupt status.
A general travel restriction aimed at preventing a bankrupt individual from defrauding creditors may be legitimate. However, in this case, the travel restriction against Dr. Chee is aimed at further curtailing the freedom of expression of an opposition leader. It is our considered judgment that having already persecuted, prosecuted, bankrupted, and silenced Dr. Chee inside Singapore, you now wish to render him silent beyond your own borders.
Singapore is bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is widely regarded as customary international law. Article 19 of the Declaration states that "everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." According to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, while this right is subject to legitimate regulation, any restrictions on this right "must be clear, unambiguous as to the specific type of banned expressions, and proved to be necessary and proportionate, so as to prevent abuse for purposes beyond their intended purpose."
Along those lines, the Special Rapporteur has stated that defamation and libel laws should recognize that public figures have less protection from criticism than do private figures, that these laws should never be used to prevent criticism of governments, and that "the standards applied to defamation law should not be so stringent as to have a chilling effect on freedom of expression."
While freedom of expression is theoretically guaranteed by Article 14 of Singapore's constitution, your government imposes illegitimate restrictions on this right via the systematic and targeted application of the 1957 Defamation Act and Section 499 of the Penal Code against independent media and opposition leaders. In sum, the Singaporean government's major convictions of Dr. Chee violate international law, and enforcing a travel ban on him further enforces this violation.
We request that your government reconsider its travel ban on Dr. Chee and, in the spirit of human rights, allow him to leave Singapore for four days to participate in the Oslo Freedom Forum.
Dr. Chee would need urgent clearance, as he needs proper travel documentation from you to depart Singapore on May 6. Norway does not require Singaporean citizens to have entry visas. We have booked his return flight to arrive back in Singapore on May 10.
By allowing Dr. Chee to join us, you would send a message that your government is willing to allow its most well-known critic to participate in international dialogue.
Yours sincerely,
Thor Halvorssen
President
Human Rights Foundation
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You have my support, many of us born and rooted here. And many of us are fair peoples, indeed I am feeling a shame of PAP government in handling this matter particularly to a fellow Singaporean. I thank you too.
I'm a Singaporean, born and bred and although I'm pretty sure you won't, don't be put off by these comments. I wholeheartedly support your letter and your cause. From what I know, there's usually a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to the Singaporean government and their decisions and I don't think anyone can deny that there's certainly an agenda to their defamation suits. Having said that, don't bank on the government giving him leave to go to Oslo. Singapore has a terrible human rights track record but the government continues to do what they do, shamelessly. That is the way it is.
So thank you. I'd like to write a more detailed reply but Big Brother is watching.
You may also want to read Yahoo & Google Singapore web for a wider pool of audients and readers; many Singaporeans are having their say on the matter. And it would be a geater representation of what Singaporean feel on the matter.
You may want to read Yahoo and Google Singapore web on the comments and feedback on above article; there is a large pool of audients having their say on the subject. This would give you a greater representation of response to the matter from many Singaporeans here.
Its Obvious to Me that YOU HAVE NO IDEA of WHAT YOU ARE SAYING ! YOUR COMMENTS Came from A LONG DISTANCE LAND - Which Has NO STAKE in The CURRENT or FUTURE LIFE of PEOPLE in SIGNAPORE ! YOUR POSITION is ONE SIDED + BIASED ! Dr. CHEE is Not WORKING for SINGAPORE ! He is FIGHTING for His OWN GLORY ! He Does Not RESPECT The LAW at ALL !
I Would Appreciate if You Know SINGAPORE First before PASSING COMMENTS That You Know NOTHING ABOUT ! Honestly - I Think YOUR COMMENTS Made NO DENT to The MAJORITY of SINGAPOREANS - Domestically or Overseas ! We Know - WHO is DR CHEE + What He STANDS FOR ! He is NOBODY in SINGAPORE ! He is NOT A LOGICAL PERSON - A REBEL WITH NO CAUSE to STAND FOR !
My Advice to Y
Above rubish does not represent Singaporean view, pls keep it to yourself. I suggest you post it on Yahoo Singapore and get a real response from what most Singaporean think/
If that is what he thinks and that is what he wants to say, then he is exercising his freedom of speech. It is ridiculous for you to tell him to keep it to himself.
But oddly, in this case, you have shown otherwise.
Everyone knows a bankrupt has many restrictions. The law must ensure that the bankrupt must make provision to settle his debt.
Look at Mr.Chee. He is a bankrupt. But he refuses to work. Even his wife is not working. And yet they have 3 children. I am curious how can a normal family survive without a source of income? Furthermore, the person is a bankrupt! This automatically lead us to think that obviously this person is not willing to settle his debt and is trying to create problem!
Mr.Thor, let me think how this can be settled very easily. Since he is so important to your rights org, why don't you settle his debt? I am 101% sure he will be able to travel IMMEDIATELY! Otherwise how can you make this bankrupt, Mr.Chee, so different from other bankrupt who cannot travel?? You are the rights group, tell me will it be right then? Is it fair to the other bankrupt??
If it's important for Mr.Chee to speak, please use simple technology that is freely available today - teleconference. If you are sincere, give Mr.Chee a slot, invite him over webcam.
So, what is actually your intention? I hope it is not to stir unnecessary attention.
And those who have been aruging that Tor facts is wrong, where u get ur justifications from ? The straits Times I assume and that will be a World LOL at u !
so Mr Thor should address this letter to the appropriate legal channels as mentioned in other comments if he wants to get a quick response. although there will be the argument that the Red-tape and what not will take very long. that would be illogical to argue in this case as most red-tape takes time to clear, i think most of us have experienced how long the administrative process takes. so no reason to bring that up.
i think your comments will get yourself a "world LOL" whatever that's supposed to mean. i think you should get your facts right as well.
Good ? how good an opposition is will be pinned down by the Government in Singapore.
Please get ur facts correct unless u are just a pro Government Puppets in Singapore
I doubt most governments in the world can come up with dazzling plans for their own countries. So while you may not see miracles being performed to singapore, I believe it's already a uphill task to maintain singapore as it is. furthermore, improvements to roads infrastructures are always there. I dont think you often see a poorly maintained road in singapore.
i think you should get your facts right. dont criticize others about being pro Government because you sound exactly like an "anti-government" puppet as well. one of the typical singaporeans that are Anti-government for the sake of it.
cheers!
Let me make it clear that one does not get fined or jailed for 'criticising the authorities'. That claim is ridiculous. There is plenty of criticism in Singapore voiced on many issues, which becomes immediately evident by looking at any of the many dozens of websites and blogsites which contain such criticisms - and we do not get jailed or fined for expressing such sentiments. I am therefore baffled as to where you get your information from, as you seem woefully uninformed about life in Singapore, which has been my home for nearly 35 years.
At the same time, one does open oneself up for defamation charges if one chooses to publicly slander the good name and character of another, and why our Prime Minister (or any other authorities) should abrogate his right to defend himself from libellous allegations is incomprehensible to me. Your article therefore does a tremendous injustice to Singapore by suggesting to those who have never been here that we are somehow muzzled or walking about in proverbial chains, and that is simply untrue.
You need not preach to us about our alleged breech of human rights, which are very much protected in Singapore - but that is a discussion for another
You need a better understanding of what freedom of speech and minimum wage means. Both sound good in theory but in practice have many significant pitfalls. And both are by no means 'essential'. Since you know how to use wikipedia, go and look up minimum wage. The point is that it is not automatically a good thing to have and must be carefully considered.
And by far I think that the people of Singapore have more good fortune and blessings than plights and problems just that a lot of take them for granted.
It is therefore almost needless to say that I have every right to speak out responsibly and constructively on affairs of state. I shall continue to do so as this is part of my civic responsibility: I'm sure you'll agree that with rights & liberties come responsibilities. I stand by every word I've said, and will continue to speak out on issues as I wish.
Dr Chee initially seemed to be a man of reason, but as his politics grew, he got a little foolish and then careless and then completely ineffective, as he is now.
He would have done well to learn a few things from notable opposition leaders in Singapore that have come before him, such as Chiam See Tong, who admirably demonstrated through many years of service as an opposition party member how one can make a real difference by caring about the important things in Singapore society—not by being "famous for being a critic of the government."
Unfortunately, Mr Halvorssen, Mr Chee's not being able to travel has nothing to do with human rights. He is a legal bankrupt and by law, may not be allowed to travel. However, he can negotiate with his OA (official assignee) to see if an exception may be granted in this case.
In short, your open letter has been misdirected and perhaps you will have greater success writing in to the official assignee's office.
Take for instance Dr Chee's dismissal from university. He was dismissed for misuse of funds, and subsequently claimed that the dismissal was politically motivated.
Dr Chee was then sued in court as his claim clearly implied that the university officials were not impartial in performing their duties with regard to Dr Chee. In court, Dr Chee was unable to demonstrate that his use of funds was appropriate. If he had done so, it would have gone a long way towards showing that his dismissal may have been for the wrong reasons.
There are many other glaring biases in your letter, but I shall not repeat what the other commentators have already pointed out. Suffice to say, that I neither support Dr Chee, nor your efforts to critise Singapore without truly well-reasoned arguments.
I am not sure of what more "human rights" do you foresee for Singapore.
Whatever Dr. Chee is facing, it is in the opinion of many people, very much a personal vendetta against the incumbent Singapore Government. Whenever he speaks and in many of his published letters, he paints Singapore in a bad way. One cannot imagine why he is saying such things if he is indeed thinking for the betterment of Singapore, or for the greater good of Singaporeans.
As reflected in the recent Singapore elections, as long as the opposition presents itself as credible, trustworthy, and argues on true issues that matter to Singaporeans, then they are rightfully elected to represent Singaporeans as Members of Parliament. Dr. Chee's elections records speak for themselves.
I support Singapore's decision not to grant Dr. Chee leave, because in as so far as the actions of Dr. Chee go, he does not represent Singapore, he does not represent the general Singaporean, and he does not give a fair assessment of Singapore and how the system works. If he is allowed leave, it is more likely that he will seek to damage, discredit or smear Singapore's reputation to an international audience.
Are u just another pro Government Puppets in Singapore, I am a Singaporean born here, live here for past 50 years. Your comment have put Singaporean a shame and why mentioned about those countries you listed i.e. two wrong does not make it right! Singapore's international reputation does not judge by Singaporean alone, it is depend how international community see us i.e. like you had just commented those countries you listed. if you are indeed thinking for betterment of Singapore, or for the greater good of Singaporeans, please open up your thick skull and listen to what other says. I do not wish to hide my red Singapore passport whenever I travel abroad, keep in mind we live in a global world not in a cocoon. Pls wake up and don't put Singaporean in shame in front of international community. A big thank you to you and you don't represent Singaporean at all.
I don't know why you are so concerned about mian zi. Unlike you, I am not ashamed of my passport at all. If you are proud of your country, you will never be ashamed of your passport. I hate to say it, but I really do wonder who is putting Singapore to shame in front of the international community.
the law does state that you can be restricted from overseas travel if you're declared bankrupt.
and i doubt most of the people here are PRO Government. Most of them are just stating the facts about the bankruptcy law. While it may seem that Dr. Chee is being targeted, it's just because the news focuses on him as a critic of the government, so to the general audience it seems as if anyone who goes against the government will be targeted. But i'm equally sure anyone else who is a bankrupt will face the same problems.
and also you come across as arrogant firstly and you definitely put more shame to Singapore by posting such extreme anti-government comments. you should "open up your thick skull and listen to what other say"
in fact if you're really proud of singapore, you should not have to "hide your red Singapore passport whenever you travel abroad"
I'm not flaming you. I just think you should not adopt such a hard view on anyone that looks like they are pro government but are actually just stating facts.
cheers