Singapore
Tuesday 12.4.2022 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore continues to restrict fundamental freedoms, despite downgrade in civic space rating
In recent months, the authorities banned a book on political cartoons and censorship and pulled the launch of a memoir written by a prominent civil society activist. Activist Jolovan Wham was convicted of violating the Public Order Act and ordered to pay a fine. Protesters who had called to end discrimination against LGBT+ groups were given police warnings. A report by international human rights group FIDH highlighted how Singapore’s laws and practices contravened international human rights standards on peaceful assembly Read more
Wednesday 24.11.2021 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore passes draconian foreign interference law, rejects UN recommendations on civic space
Civic space in Singapore has continued to narrow, as the government passed an encompassing law on foreign interference, despite widespread dissent, which could be used to clamp down on fundamental freedoms. The authorities suspended the licence of the independent media outlet The Online Citizen (TOC), while the courts ruled in favour of the Prime Minister on accusations of defamation against the TOC editor and writer. The authorities rejected an application by an activist against a correction order under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), while a rapper has been charged with promoting feelings of ill will. Read more
Monday 23.8.2021 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore PM listed as press freedom ‘predator’ as journalists continue to be targeted
In recent months, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was included in a list of violators of press freedom. Journalists have continued to face defamation and other charges for their reporting, there are reports of increasing surveillance and an individual has been charged under the Official Secrets Act. Read more
Monday 24.5.2021 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore continues to stifle fundamental freedoms despite UN human rights review
In recent months, Singapore has continued to attack fundamental freedoms and use laws against critics and human rights defenders despite facing a UN review of its rights record. It has continued to wield repressive laws such as the Public Order Act and defamation provisions against human rights defenders, activists and journalists. It has also continued to criminalise individuals organising peaceful protests. Singapore has dropped two places in the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index. Most recently, it issued a warning around an event discussing LGBTQI+ issues. Read more
Wednesday 3.2.2021 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore targets peaceful protesters and continues judicial harassment of critics
In recent months the Singaporean authorities have continued to use the restrictive Public Order Act to charge human rights activist Jolovan Wham, arrest LGBT activists and warn social media users against peacefully protesting. It has also continued to harass independent news outlet New Naratif and to prosecute critics for defamation. Read more
Thursday 24.9.2020 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore government continues to harass its critics as share of popular vote falls
In recent months, the authorities have continued to use the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) against its online critics. It is also continuing its harassment of critical news site New Naratif for allegedly breaking its restrictive election laws. Human rights defender Jolovan Whan spent 10 days in jail for holding a public discussion, while a group of Myanmar nationals are being investigated for holding a peaceful protest. NGOs are also calling for better protection of migrant workers. Read more
Wednesday 24.6.2020 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Civic space restrictions continue unabated in Singapore despite COVID-19 pandemic, as election looms
In the past few months, Singapore has continued to crack down on lone protesters, sustained its use of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to restrict freedom of expression online and harassed individuals under Singapore’s contempt of court law Read more
Monday 24.2.2020 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore ramping up use of ‘fake news’ law against critics ahead of elections
Over the last few months, Singapore has been ramping up its use of the ‘Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act’ (POFMA) law against opposition groups, critical online media and a Malaysia human rights group. The Public Order law continues to be used to criminalise peaceful protest. Legal challenges to decriminalise gay sex are ongoing. Read more
Friday 27.9.2019 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore authorities threaten editor with libel and smear critical online news sites
The Singapore government has continued to take action to target the media, activists and others for criticising the government. An independent news website The Online Citizen (TOC) is being forced to take down a critical article, online news sites have been smeared as ‘advancing foreign interests’ while a human rights lawyer is being targeted for his anti-death penalty advocacy. Read more
Thursday 9.5.2019 Singapore - Latest Developments -
Singapore parliament passes ‘Online Falsehoods Bill’ despite civil society concerns
The ‘Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill’ to combat fake news was submitted to parliament in April 2019 and has been tabled for a second reading in May despite concerns it could stifle freedom of expression. Activist Jolovan Wham was sentenced to a fine or days in prison, in February 2019 for organising an ‘illegal assembly’ and for contempt of court in April 2019. Singapore has remained ranked at a dismal 151st spot out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2019 World Press Freedom Index released in April 2019 Read more
