Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 July 9, 2008 S'pore should free courts from govt influence: lawyers group SINGAPORE should free its courts from any government influence and elevate human rights standards to international levels, the world's largest legal association said. The International Bar Association's (IBA) human rights arm expressed concern over the limitations of freedom of expression and the independence of Singapore courts in a 72-page report released late in London on Tuesday. 'In particular, democratic debate and media comment are extremely restricted and government officials have initiated numerous successful defamation suits against both political and media critics,' said the association's executive director Mr Mark Ellis. The global legal association noted that while the city-state had a good reputation when adjudicating commercial cases that did not involve members of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), when it came to matters regarding PAP litigants 'there are concerns about an actual or apparent lack of impartiality'. The London-based body of more than 30,000 member lawyers globally also said that while Singapore fared well in commercial and economic rankings, it fared poorly in press freedom rankings, which it said was a concern given that a free press can generate important dialogue on issues. 'Singapore cannot continue to claim that civil and political rights must take a back seat to economic rights, as its economic development is now of the highest order,' the report said. 'The International Bar Association Human Rights Institute strongly encourages Singapore to engage with the international community in a more constructive manner, and to take steps to implement international standards of human rights,' it said. The Singapore government did not immediately comment. Defamation suits Singapore, where the IBA held its annual conference last year, is among the most developed nations in Asia, with the second highest GDP per capita after Japan. However, media and human rights groups such as Amnesty International have criticised the government for restricting freedom of expression and using defamation lawsuits to financially cripple political opponents. In a list of 18 recommendations, the IBA urged the Singapore government to ratify the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ease restrictions on the media and ensure that its courts are free from government influence. IBA executive director said in a statement Singapore should be a leader in human-rights, and its advancement would be complementary to the city-state's future prosperity. The IBA also noted that some publications, including The Economist and the Financial Times, have paid out-of-court settlements to avoid defamation lawsuits. The government says these lawsuits are needed to protect its reputation. The legal body suggested the government set limits on defamation payouts in cases initiated by government officials. At the convention last October, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said the city-state's citizens were free to read whatever they wanted. He said Singapore was built on the rule of law and did not tolerate corruption, in contrast to the surrounding region, where 'money politics' was a way of life. That meant defamation action may be taken against those who impute dishonesty among government officials, in order to clear any doubts, he said. -- REUTERS, AFP. http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...ory_256122.html ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie47 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 They are right. The judiciary and law is above everyone including the gahment. The gahment is not the law. The law is the law. The gahment must follow law. We don't follow gahment. We follow law. Now gahment use law to side with them. Of course IBA buay song lah! Law should side with lawyers and the judiciary not the gahment. This is an insult. A direct insult. A b1tch slap to the face. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Author Share July 9, 2008 looks like they no longer welcome to hold future convention in singapore as long as lightning strke the contradiction... . http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=c...=1316&Itemid=31 some1 self pwned? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Clutched July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 I thought we are already done with the colonial thingy? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celicapimp Neutral Newbie July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 posted liao http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Others_C20/Lite_%26_EZ_F15/SINGAPORE_fails_to_meet_international_standards_for_political_and_human_rights_P 2447432/://http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Oth...ghts_P 2447432/://http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Oth...ghts_P 2447432/://http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/Oth...ghts_P 2447432/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Author Share July 9, 2008 today late mah. NEA inspector come, must b more hardworking, follow ard like a dog. mebbe next week MP come, also hv to clean toylet more... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celicapimp Neutral Newbie July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 MP where got use public toylet? mostly busy shaking hand and take peekture with babies Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 IBA will be banned for interfering with internal politics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigershark1976 Turbocharged July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 not so bad lah... we all KPKB in MCF everyday... so far nothing happen YET Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnoikj Neutral Newbie July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 I wonder what the IBA will say about our neighbours up north...they attend boot camps and get appointed through connections...hmmm... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pentium 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 IBA will say that north is 3rd world country, they don't demand so high standard. But singapore is a first world country, cannot be like hooligan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony76 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 garment pay judge salary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnoikj Neutral Newbie July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 Thanks. So you are speaking fo the IBA when you say the neighbours up north are inferior? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilgamesh Neutral Newbie July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 not so bad lah... we all KPKB in MCF everyday... so far nothing happen YET Maybe they purposely let us KBKB in MCF to let off steam. They not stupid - they know many are just NATO - No Action Talk Only. Better to let us talk rubbish and then forgets about why we complain than to stop us entirely and then dunno what we will do in the dark.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Author Share July 9, 2008 人有三急 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Author Share July 9, 2008 Probably say "room for improvement" considered all the worms surfaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apollo 1st Gear July 9, 2008 Author Share July 9, 2008 some of them probably laffing their head off becos we also speake for them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Clutched July 9, 2008 Share July 9, 2008 Aiya........... wanna protest still must seek permission from SPF liao. So where do u think is the freedom?? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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