The government retained a tight grip on freedom of expression and assembly, suppressing dissent and criticism. Activists faced charges for speaking out and executions continued.
Background
Lawrence Wong became prime minister when former leader Lee Hsien Loong stepped down after 20 years. The government’s long-standing policy of silencing its opponents and restricting civic space continued.
Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
In April, three activists were investigated by the police for protesting against Singapore’s arms sales to Israel. They displayed a banner reading “End SG–Israel arms trade” at Gardens by the Bay, a popular tourist destination. They were investigated under the Public Order Act, which requires a permit for any form of public demonstration.
In June, university students and alumni delivered letters opposing a new racial harmony bill to the Ministry of Home Affairs, arguing that it provided the government with further powers to clampdown on dissent. The authors were later investigated by the police. In the same month, police charged three activists – Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar – with organizing a procession in a prohibited area under the Public Order Act. These charges came after they led a march to the Presidential Palace to deliver a letter of concern about the Gaza conflict. If found guilty, they could be fined up to SDG 10,000 (USD 7,360) or face six months’ imprisonment.
In July, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, leader of the Reform Party, received his eighth correction order from the authorities under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). The order was to publicly correct a so-called falsehood and related to his online post on 15 June, which questioned the government’s pricing of land. The authorities also opened an investigation into Kenneth Jeyaretnam for contempt of court under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act, which has also been used to target critics and served POFMA orders against several independent media outlets.
During the year, the government issued numerous POFMA orders regarding statements criticizing the death penalty made by the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), a collective of activists campaigning for criminal justice and other human rights reforms. In October a photo exhibition for the World Day against the Death Penalty organized by TJC was banned on the grounds that it “undermines national interest”. In December the government issued a POFMA order designating TJC’s website and social media “Declared Online Locations”. TJC were required to post a notice on their sites stating they had “communicated numerous falsehoods” and were banned from receiving monetary contributions online. Activist Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, a member of TJC, received individual POFMA orders for her death penalty activism and was subject to investigation after she became the first person in Singapore to refuse to comply with a correction order.
Death penalty
Executions of people convicted of drug offences continued. On 2 and 7 August the authorities carried out the execution of two men,1 while another was executed in October, all for drug-related offences. There were fair trial concerns in each of the cases, as all three were party to a pending court application.2 In October the government amended the already restrictive Administration of Justice (Protection) Act, making those who file “groundless” court applications liable for contempt of court.
Right to a healthy environment
In March the government submitted a written statement to the International Court of Justice, showing support for its forthcoming advisory ruling on climate-related obligations. As a low-lying island nation, Singapore is highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, which could potentially threaten infrastructure and livelihoods.
