Singapore Refuses to Abolish Internal Security Act

Singapore Refuses to Abolish Internal Security Act

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

SINGAPORE, Singapore – Despite urging from human rights groups, Singapore is refusing to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for individuals to be detained without a trial.

Singapore is refusing to abolish the Internal Security Act which gives them the ability to detain individuals without a trial (Photo Courtesy of SDP Fans).
Singapore is refusing to abolish the Internal Security Act which gives them the ability to detain individuals without a trial (Photo Courtesy of SDP Fans).

Curiosity about the nation’s plans for the act is due, in part, to Malaysia’s recent decision to abolish two of their security regulations. On September 15, Malaysia announced that it would abolish not only the Emergency Ordinance but their version of the Internal Security Act as well. Similar to the act currently in place in Singapore, both acts allowed citizens to be detained without a trial.

Despite Malaysia’s decision; however, Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry has stated that the ISA continues to be relevant and crucial in the realm of national security.  In announcing the decision to not follow in Malaysia’s footsteps, the Home Affairs Ministry notated various differences that exist in the two nations.

 One such difference is the holding period required under both forms of the ISA. In Malaysia, detainees could remain in custody for up to sixty days while Singapore only allows detainees to be held for thirty days before the individual is required to be released unconditionally unless a Detention Order is issued.

The ministry also claimed that the ISA has never been used to detain somebody based solely on their political beliefs and has instead only been used to combat threats of subversion, espionage, terrorism and religious extremism.

While some scholars believe that there is a need for the ISA,  other groups as well as sixteen individuals who were formerly detained under the ISA are pushing for its abolition.

One proponent of the ISA, Dr. Rohan Gunaratana from the International Center for Political Violence and Research stated, “…ISA is [a] valuable tool to preventively detain terrorist suspects to investigate and also confine them.”

In contrast, sixteen former detainees held under the ISA state that “[t]his law has been in existence for more than half a century and its impact on society is both crippling and pernicious.”

One of the detainees is Chia Thye Poh who spent 26 years in detention and was one of the world’s longest held political prisoners along with Nelson Mandela.  Chia was detained in the 1960’s after being accused of being a Communist subversive.

Seven of the others former detainees were detained for an alleged Marxist conspiracy against the government of Singapore in 1987.

The Singapore government maintains that the sixteen former political prisoners were detained for their involvement in activities that threatened national security and not because of their political beliefs.

The ISA was initially enacted by British authorities to fight the Communist insurgency after World War II. While the ISA was generally used between the 1960’s and 1980’s to contain those believed to be causing racial and religious disharmony, it was primarily used to combat terrorism following the September 11 terrorist attacks.

For more information, please see:

Channel News Asia – MHA Says ISA Remains Relevent & Necessary – 23 September 2011

AFP – Ex-Prisoners Urge Singapore to Scrap Security Law – 19 September 2011

My Sinchew – Will Singapore Bow to Pressure to put an End to ISA? – 19 September 2011

Today – Selling Singaporeans on the ISA – 19 September 2011

Channel News Asia – ISA Relevant to S’pore, Crucial for National Security: MHA – 16 September 2011

Saudi Women Granted Right to Vote, but Not Until 2015

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia took a gigantic step forward Sunday.  Claiming to “reject any marginalization of women in Saudi society in every domain,” King Abdullah used his address to the Majils Al-Shura, a council that advises him on issues of public policy, to grant women the right to vote in the municipal elections of 2015.  Women will also be able to run for office in that election and be eligible for appointment to the council as full voting members.  They will not, however, be able to vote in Thursday’s elections, which a group of at least 60 Saudi intellectuals and activists have called to boycott for that reason.

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (center, seated) addressed the advisory Majils Al-Shura Sunday, announcing that women would have the right to vote in 2015s municipal elections. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia (center, seated) addressed the advisory Majils Al-Shura Sunday, announcing that women would have the right to vote in 2015's municipal elections. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

“Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others… to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term,” he said.  “Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote.

The Middle Eastern country has historically been one of the most conservative countries in the world when it comes to women’s rights.  One of the most notable restrictions is a ban on women drivers, which was challenged by numerous women in May.  The general rule in Saudi Arabia is one of male guardianship, which means that women cannot make decisions about their lives without the approval of a male relative.

King Abdullah’s announcement is viewed as a possible response to the “Arab Spring” that has gripped the Middle East for much of this year.  He has promised reform for over a decade, but his efforts have been slow to take hold due to fear of a religious backlash.

“There is the element of the Arab Spring, there is the element of the strength of Saudi social media, and there is the element of Saudi women themselves, who are not silent,” said Hatoon al-Fassi, a history professor and one of the women who organized a campaign demanding the right to vote this spring. “Plus, the fact that the issue of women has turned Saudi Arabia into an international joke is another thing that brought the decision now.”

Saudi women enthusiastically responded to the monarchy’s announcement, even if they will have to wait four years to take advantage of their new rights.

Writer Nimah Ismail Nawwab told the BBC: “This is something we have long waited for and long worked towards.”

The Twitter page Women2Drive, a key player in the organized protest where women drove on the streets of Saudi Arabia, also spoke with great hope.  “A new day for Saudi women..a new era..the dream comes so true..Good morning ladies..and gentlemen,” a tweet read.

Deputy Education Minister Noura bint Abdullah Al-Fayez, Saudi Arabia’s first female minister, was strongly encouraged by King Abdullah’s remarks.

“Woman is a partner of man in building society. The new assignments are an honor for Saudi women,” she said.  “During this prosperous era of King Abdullah, women enjoy a lofty position as the king recognized their achievements in the areas of education and science and their ability to carry out different roles in an efficient manner. Women have won the king’s confidence through their hard work.”

Majils Al-Shura President Abdullah Al-Asheikh seconded Al-Fayez’s remarks.  He pointed out the significant contributions that women had made in several fields of Saudi society, including education, heath, and economics.  He also noted that women had done well in research, and some had acted as consultants to the council.  In 2006, six women were appointed in that capacity, which has since grown to 12.  Despite their role as advisors, they lack voting power.  In Al-Asheki’s opinion, allowing women to serve and vote on the council would provide the council with “new blood.”

While the actual reform will have to wait, women are encouraged by the announcement.  A Facebook page titled “We are all Manal al-Sharif,” in support of an activist who was arrested for defying the ban on women drivers, has numerous comments on King Abdullah’s decision, almost all of them positive.  But it is clear that there are other key issues on their minds.

“Al-Bandari Abdallah” commented on that page: “Our hope has grown with the new decisions. God willing Saudi women will drive soon,” and “Sawdiyah La-Diniyah” notes that it’s a “Good start…but when [will women be] driving!!”

On Monday, the Majils Al-Shoura announced that it is reviewing the ban on women drivers in order to reconsider the issue.

For more information, please see:

Saudi Gazette — Shoura Reconsidering Women Driving Issue — 27 September 2011

Arab News — Saudi Women Won Confidence through Hard Work: Al-Fayez — 26 September 2011

Arab News — Shoura Chief Says Women Will Bring New Blood to Council — 26 September 2011

BBC — Saudi Social Media Joy at Reform Promise — 26 September 2011

Human Rights Watch — Saudi Arabia: Women to Vote, Join Shura Council — 26 September 2011

Al Jazeera — Saudi Women Given Voting Rights — 25 September 2011

Arab News — King Abdullah Grants Women the Vote — 25 September 2011

BBC — Women in Saudi Arabia to Vote and Run in Elections — 25 September 2011

New York Times — Saudi Monarch Grants Women Right to Vote — 25 September 2011

War Crimes Court Expedites Trial

By Greg Donaldson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Khmer Rouge tribunal explained Thursday that the four former Cambodian leaders accused of genocide will be tried on a charge-by-charge basis.

Nuon Chea attends a trial in his sunglasses and ski cap (Photo Courtesy of Phnom Penh/Reuters
Nuon Chea attends a trial in his sunglasses and ski cap (Photo Courtesy of Phnom Penh/Reuters)

“Separation  of  proceedings  will  enable the chamber to issue  a  verdict  following  a  shortened trial,  safeguarding  the  fundamental  interest  of  victims  in  achieving  meaningful  and  timely justice, and the right of all accused in Case 002 to an expeditious trial,” the opinion read.

The court’s desire to accelerate the trials stems from the fact that defendants range in age from seventy-nine to eighty-five. The court is attempting to avoid the result of the 2006 trial of Slobodan Milosevic in which Milosevic died in his cell during trial.

Defendants have already cited their health as obstacles to upcoming trials. It has been reported that Ieng Thirith, the youngest of all the defendants, has dementia and memory loss. A health expert told the court that Thirith was no longer fit for trial.

Another defendant, Nuon Chea, has told the court that it is very difficult for him to focus and he cannot sit for long periods of time.

Clair Duffy, a trial monitor for the Open Society Justice Initiative admitted that the decision to break up the charges into separate trials is not perfect but explained the clock is ticking for the court to sentence the defendants before they die.

“I guess it’s an exercise of weighing competing interests. The question is, is it better to see some form of justice in a shorter period of time that only involves some allegations? I think the answer to that has to be yes,” she said.

While public appearances by the defendants have been limited, the media has kept a close watch on how the defendant’s act while in public. During a bail hearing in 2009, Ieng Thirith said that anyone accusing her of a crime would be cursed “to the seventh circle of hell.”

Nuon Chea has been wearing sunglasses and a stripped ski cap throughout the trial. On the first day of trial he announced that he was not happy with the trial. After a judge denied Chea’s request to hear hundreds of Chea’s witnesses, Chea staged a three day walkout.

Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. In addition to being accused of genocide, it is also alleged that the regime authorized torture, executions, starvation, and child labor camps.

For more information, please see:

Phnom Penh Post — Khmer Rouge trial split — 23 September 2011

AFP – War crimes court splits KRouge trial charges– 22 September 2011

Voice of America — Khmer Rouge Court to Try Former Leaders Crime by Crime — 22 September 2011

The Atlantic — Scenes From a Khmer Rouge Trial Gone Wrong — 21 September 2011

Vice Presidential Candidate Accuses Incumbent of Buying Votes for Upcoming Election

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MONROVIA, Liberia – On Thursday, 22 September, vice presidential candidate and soccer star George Weah accused Liberia’s incumbent president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of buying votes and using government funds to campaign for the country presidential election on October 11, 2011.  On Friday, President Sirleaf’s spokesperson denied the allegations.

President Sirleaf accused of buying votes for the next presidential election. (Photo Courtesy of The Liberian Dialogue)
President Sirleaf accused of buying votes for the next presidential election. (Photo Courtesy of The Liberian Dialogue)

Weah made these allegations at a press conference held at the headquarters of his party, the Congress for Democratic Change (“CDC”), in Congo Town.  Cyrus Badio, President Sirleaf’s secretary, called the allegations “reckless and unsubstantiated.”

The allegations followed a report tht Weah and former prosecutor of the Special War Crimes Court for Sierra Leone Alan White signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to stir conflict if the CDC did not win the elections.  They believe former Secretary General Eugene Nagbe will damage the CDC’s chances of winning the election.  Last week, police charged three CDC members for throwing a gasoline bomb that burned Mr. Nagbe’s vehicle.

Weah asserts the CDC will win the election “very massively, because we carry the confidence of the people.”  He also calls upon the international community to monitor the elections to safeguard from fraudulent results.

Sirleaf face Weah and his running mate Winston Tubman along with fourteen additional challengers in the election.  The CDC is Liberia’s leading opposition political party to Sirleaf’s Unity Party (“UP”).

In 2005, Liberia elected Harvard-trained economist President Sirleaf as the first democratically elected female president in Africa.  Since the civil war in Liberia ended in 2003, United Nations (“UN”) Peacekeepers assist Liberians in maintaining peace in their country.

During the election’s debate, campaign, and candidate interactions, Liberian commentators call upon the candidates to mutually respect one another, behave civilly, and speak honestly to each other.  They also call upon the Ministry of Justice to investigate Weah’s claims against Sirleaf.

Weah demands free, fair, and transparent elections in Liberia.  However, when asked what his reaction would be if CDC lost the election, Weah answered “Freely and fairly, we will accept the result, because that will be the decision of the Liberian people and we will not overturn the decision.”

For further information, please see:
The Liberian Dialogue – The Ensuing Liberian Elections: A Word to the Candidates – 25 Sept 2011
The Liberian Dialogue – Weah’s Claims Must be Investigated – 24 Sept 2011
MENA FN – Weah – Ellen Will Be Defeated Massively – 23 Sept 2011
The Washington Post – Liberia Candidate Accuses President of Buying Votes; Spokesman Denies Claim – 23 Sept 2011

ICRC of Washington, DC Launches “Intercross” Blog

From the News and Notes newsletter of the International Committee of the Red Cross: “[T]oday we Launch Intercross, the blog of the the ICRC in Washington, DC. At a time when conflict-related issues are at the forefront of so many important debates, we need to continue to find new and creative ways to inform and engage those interested in these issues. We join the digital conversation to make our voice and the voices of those who care about humanitarian action better heard. We will do this by featuring colleagues working in the field and by showcasing the work of outstanding photojournalists and reporters working in conflict. When you visit Intercross, we hope you will see that we have interesting things to say about war, its realities and the laws that apply when people take up arms.


[The content on Intercross] includes an interview with George Comninos, our head of delegation in Tripoli. Mr. Comninos explains that while the ICRC has been able to operate in many parts of Libya, some cities, including Sirte, where heavy fighting has been taking place, remain off limits. He once again calls for access to civilians in those cities and provides an overview of our delegation’s priorities amidst ongoing hostilities.


An important part of Intercross will be an exploration of law and policy issues. Here we share an interview with Vincent Bernard, Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal International Review of the Red Cross. Mr. Bernard speaks about the most recent edition of the Review, which examines legal, policy and humanitarian issues in Afghanistan.


Finally, Intercross will regularly dig into the rich archives of the ICRC. The first historical post looks at the role the ICRC delegation in Washington from 1941 to 1947.


We invite you to take a look, read a few posts, become a subscriber and let friends know about Intercross if you like what you see. . . . We are excited about this new way to connect with you, and look forward to staying in touch. As always, we welcome your feedback and comments.”


Visit the new Intercross blog at http://intercrossblog.icrc.org/