Europe MPs 'gagged' by Singapore

LazerLordz SG

More fallout from the MHA ban on the EU legislators to speak at a public forum on politics and democracy by the SDP.

Hypocritical that foreigners may work here, advise us on our economy, while when it comes to issues of politics, oh suddenly the sovereignty imperative comes into play.

This is not helpful to our image one single bit. The EU Ambassador has already let his views be known, and frankly, this was uncalled for, and only served to give the SDP a moral victory in this case of the public forum.

Absolutely hypocritical..

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Last Updated: Friday, 13 April 2007, 15:50 GMT 16:50 UK

Europe MPs 'gagged' by Singapore

[img]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42798000/jpg/_42798685_meps_afp_story203.jpg[img]
MEPs including Graham Watson (L)

The MEPs had been invited by an opposition politician

Singapore has been accused of acting like an "authoritarian state" after refusing to allow European Parliament members to speak during a visit.

The seven MEPs, as well as a Cambodian and a Philippines congresswoman, were denied permission to speak at a forum on democracy in Europe and Asia.

One MEP likened the Singaporeans' to repressive regimes such as North Korea.

The Singapore government said foreigners did not have permission to address the event.

The seven MEPs, from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), came to Singapore after earlier speaking at a forum in Indonesia.

'Authoritarian state'

"I fear that, in this sense at least, it puts Singapore in a league with North Korea, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China," MEP Graham Watson was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

"What has happened today proves that Singapore is an authoritarian state," said Ignasi Guardans, a Spanish MEP.

The MEPs had been invited to speak by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) led by Chee Soon Juan, opponents of the People's Action Party which has ruled the island state since 1959.

"Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners should not abuse their privilege by interfering in our domestic politics," Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6553319.stm]Link

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Danish Politician Threatened With Arrest in Singapore

By Gregers Moller

A Danish politician, Anders Samuelson visiting Singapore has been told that if he speaks at a meeting promoting demoracy in Singapore he will be arrested. The same goes for seven other members of the EU parliament who are visiting Indonesia and Singapore this week.
Anders Samuelsen has complained about the restriction placed on him through a press release issued in Danish in Denmark. If this will land him in trouble in Singapore remains to be seen.
"It is indeed proof that te fight for democracy in Singapore is still on, when you can prohibit someone to speak at a public meeting," Samuelsen is qupoted by the his party's press release.
Samuelsen and the seven EU parliamentarians are members of the liberal group in the EU parliament (ALDE). The meeting is with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD).
"I am shocked. This is state control of the worst kind and ought to be a black spot on the democratic conscience of the government. Jeg have along with the other participants objected to the foreign committee of the Singaporean parliament, but the decision stands. Also the EU ambassadors have had no luck in trying to influence the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore," Samuelsen says.
Still Samuelsen and his colleagues have decided to stay in the meeting.
"We have decided to participate anyway, but we have been issued a clear message that we will be arrested if we say something. It is absurd but then again it comes as no surprise when you consider the government of Singapore," he adds.
According to the press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sinagpore issue on Tuesday a statement saying that Singaporean politics were for Singaporeans only to debate and that foreigners who involve themselves in domestic Singaporean affairs are not welcome in Singapore.
Anders Samuelsen may while in Singapore be reached for additional comments on his mobile phone +45 5126 7616
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http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?coun_code=dk&news_id=3213

LazerLordz SG

Another article that shows the possible impact of this on EU-Singapore ties. A great example as to how domestic politics can have international impact, for those interested in a little Politics 101 trivia. Wink

Singapore ban on foreign speakers may affect EU ties

Friday 13 April 2007 15:35

European Union lawmakers banned from speaking at a public forum in Singapore warned Friday they intended to take up the issue in the European Parliament.
A statement by the EU assembly's Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, whose members were banned from speaking at the public forum, warned that the "unprecedented situation. throws into question democratic co-operation with Singapore. "

A spokesman for the group told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa the incident raised questions about Singapore's commitment to human rights and democracy.

As such, the liberal group would "consider withholding approval" of a new EU-Singapore cooperation agreement being negotiated by the two sides, the spokesman said.

The European Parliament must ratify all EU pacts with foreign countries. The EU assembly has held up several EU agreements in past years because of human rights concerns.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats has 105 parliamentarians in the 785-member EU parliament.

The spokesman said liberal group members had gone to the meeting in Singapore to talk about EU-Asia relations and questions related to democracy.

The meeting's focus was not on ministerial pay raises as indicated by the government, he said.

Seven European lawmakers, including liberal group leader Graham Watson, as well as Asian parliamentarians had been scheduled to address the event organized by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).

But the government insisted that "Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans," and visitors should not interfere in domestic politics.

It is illegal in the restrictive city-state to organize a public forum with foreign speakers without a permit. It is also an offence for foreigners to speak at such a forum without professional visit passes.

- Deutsche Presse Agentur

http://jurnalo.com/jurnalo/storyPage.do?story_id=29055

vito_corleone SG

wow i'm serving ns so that my government which i did not elect can ban people from speaking. cool Laughing btw i saw CSJ at orchard the only people buying his books were ang mohs

LazerLordz SG

FYI, his books are part of our reading list in uni, with regards to issues like civil society and democratic prospects. Laughing

Fingolfin_Noldor SG

Our politicians are the best paid in the world, but with regard to criticism, I think they have such thin skin, sometimes you wonder if they are hiding something.

Then only stupid people believe them word for word. Laughing

ndmmxiaomayi SG

"Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners should not abuse their privilege by interfering in our domestic politics," Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Lame reason. Very lame reason. If we can interfere in other countries' politics, why can't they do the same thing?

kilua SG

I wont mind if MPs from Finland, Denmark or Switzerland come over and defend why their country's government is not mediocre.

walesa SG

It's easy to forget that while this regime has the ambitions of the Nazis', their abilities pale woefully in comparison.

This desperate lot would do anything for money - how on earth would they dare risk ruining bilateral ties with the EU and jail a couple of their diplomats? The SDP is doing a mighty fine job in highlighting the sorry plight of civil society this regime offers... Razz

Arapahoe SG

The post 911

With globalizing and the hinden force are taking place to address certain needs other than terrorist and i believe these movements taking place that cannot be ignored. There are new force that tradditional gov are still learning to dealt with.

These are basically movement from the Christian Science which avocate for more christian value into politics - Bush and current german chancellor.

The other group which I believe that is taking place are the liberal who does not want reglion interference, who believe in out right liberal human right, non government insitution intervention. The media tends to be on the liberal side as news worthy are deem to be good business.

I think you find these forces cut right thru national boundary and they converge on interest across the board.

I know that currently there are growing struggle between American Civil Liberty Union vs christian Science. It really draw the line to the individual core value.

LazerLordz SG

All these are much larger than the petty things that the PAP love to harp on.

iveco SG

THe EU is a model for all to follow. Even post 911 USA pales in comparison to the Scandinavian regimes.

Texcoco II SG

Surprised

AndrewPKYap SG

One MEP likened the Singaporeans' to repressive regimes such as North Korea.

"I fear that, in this sense at least, it puts Singapore in a league with North Korea, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China," MEP Graham Watson was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

and which country comes to Singapore's "granite" shortage rescue? hahahaha birds of a feather flock together. Rolling Eyes

missqi SG

The opposition is very smart.
Laughing

nismoS132 SG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAi7rCotiAg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtn3LRENkrY

AndrewPKYap SG

I wonder if they will go so far as to hang CSJ and cause a collapse in the Singapore economy? After all, they have taken enough from Singaporeans…

walesa SG

Come on, Singapore isn't far off from standing on par with DPRK - it's almost matching DPRK in rankings assessing Singapore's human rights records and press freedom... Laughing

the Bear SG

actually, i have my suspicions about this..

CSJ pushed the usual no-win situation... he screwed the PAP but he screwed himself too.. and along the line, he screwed singaporeans...

LazerLordz SG

there's always more than one way to walk the path. Smile

walesa SG

I'm sure if the criminals could find a tangible way to tax you for the amount of oxygen you inhale, they'd bloody well do it too... Laughing