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SDP
applies for protest permit during ASEAN summit
02
Nov 07
The
Singapore Democrats have applied for a license to hold a protest
on 19 Nov 07 during the ASEAN Summit (18-22 Nov 07). The
application was submitted yesterday.
ASEAN heads of
government will be in Singapore for its annual meeting during
which it will sign its charter, a full 40 years after its
inception.
The charter promises to look into the
protection of human rights in ASEAN states.
But the
promise already looks very unpromising given the fact the charter
will be signed in Singapore, a state that prohibits protests
(with the exception, of course, of those aligned with the PAP).
In addition, the Singapore Government is the current chair of the
regional body.
Nevertheless, it is important that
democrats and human rights defenders across the region continue
their campaign to impress upon the member states that democracy
plays a vital part in the region's development.
As such,
the planned protest on 19 Nov, Monday, outside the Shangri-la
Hotel where the summit is taking place will be important event.
The protest will also be used to express the Singaporean
community's anger at the representatives from Burma. We are
determined to show our solidarity with the oppressed people of
Burma and continue our call for the military junta to restore
peace and democracy in that country.
It will also be a
prime opportunity to press ASEAN to take firm action against the
pariah regime that has no business participating in the summit.
In light of all this, the SDP calls on the PAP Government
not to make a laughing stock of Singapore: You cannot chair
ASEAN, sign a charter pledging support on human rights, and then
ban a protest at the summit.
The hypocrisy is too
glaring, even by PAP's standards.
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