The Singapore Police Force has begun investigations into the Speakers' Corner International Human Rights Day celebrations held on 10 December 2000. The event featured the Open Singapore Centre and the Think Centre where some of its members gave speeches on the necessity of abolishing the Internal Security Act. The event attracted 50 people to Hong Lim Park at noon just after Dr. Chee Soon Juan had run a marathon to symbolise the years Chia Tye Poh spent in detention without trial.
Today (30/01/01), Kevin Liew of the Open Singapore Centre has been summoned to help the police with the investigation. Police began investigations when an article written by Mr. Ramamirthan appeared in the up and coming Today tabloid. He asked whether the Speakers' Corner was a venue where demonstrations could take place. It remains unclear whether Mr. Ramamirthan was present at the event.
Issues at stake are whether there is a strict code of policing free speech and freedom of expression at the Speakers' Corner. Another aspect that is crucial is the public relations exercise of the police force with regard to maintaining good relations with civil society organisations. Lastly, the highly likely outcome of the investigations will give people a ‘chilling effect' that might strike fear of using the Speakers' Corner.
This will be an important landmark investigation that will show whether the authorities are really opening up for more voices to be heard. The Singapore Police Force will be in the spotlight and the decision it makes could impact the degree of freedom of speech and expression that will exist in the country.
