On 21 May 2009, marks the 22nd anniversary of "Operation Spectrum", a group of concerned Singaporeans gathered at the Speakers Corner to speak out against the treatment of detainees without trial under the ISA.
On 21 May 1987, 15 people in Singapore were detained without trial under the internal security act (ISA). To commemorate the anniversary people gathered calling for the end of the act.
On 21 May 1987, 15 young social workers, lawyers, businessmen, theatre practitioners and other professionals were detained without trial under the internal security law and accused of "being members of a dangerous Marxist conspiracy bent on subverting the PAP ruled government by force, and replacing it with a Marxist state". A second wave of arrests took place on June 20th the same year - 7 more were detained.
The detainees were forced to make false confessions by the way of mental and physical torture. They were subjected to harsh and intensive interrogations, deprived of sleep and rest, some for as long as 70 hours in freezing cold rooms. All of them were stripped of their personal clothings, including spectacles, footwear and underwear and were made to change into prisoners' uniforms.
Most of them were made to stand during interrogation for over 20 hours and under full blasts of air conditioning turned to the lowest temperature. Under those conditions, one of them was repeatedly doused with cold water. Most were hit in the face while others were assaulted on other parts of the body. Threats of indefinite detention without trial were also made to them should they continue to deny the intentions that they have been accused to harbour.
They were then compelled to appear on TV with their confessions and were told that their release would be dependent on their performance on TV.
On 21 May 2009, which marks the 22nd anniversary of "Operation Spectrum", a group of concerned Singaporeans gathered at the Speakers Corner to speak out against the treatment of detainees without trial under the ISA.
Sources and Relevant Links:
Wikipedia Operation Spectrum
