Think Centre deplores the cruel decision by the Singaporean government to execute Roslan bin Bakar and Pausi bin Jefridin on Wednesday, 16 February. We are appalled by the short notice of execution provided to their families residing outside of Singapore. We are further appalled that persons of intellectual disability are being executed.
Keep Reading →We urge the leaders in Myanmar, whether military, civilian, ethnic or religious, to renew their commitment to continue to protect Myanmar's democracy, which has been growing slowly, and to carefully nurture it collectively with all the peoples of Myanmar. We also encourage the international community including ASEAN to call for a peaceful democratic resolution to the current crisis.
Keep Reading →Despite it being his own decision in discharging his appointed legal counsels, it does not in any way undermine the gravely alarming fact that he went to trial against a charge with a mandatory death sentence without full representation by legal counsel.
Keep Reading →A pioneering leader in our struggle for independence against British rule, he was a leader of the Barisan Socialis, co-founder of the People’s Action Party, and an ardent trade unionist. Mr Fong Swee Suan left his mark on the early struggles for Singapore’s political freedom, self-determination and fight for the common workers’ dignity.
Keep Reading →Forum-Asia and its member, Think Centre are gravely concerned about the legal harassment of two online activists, Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung. They are currently under police investigation for allegedly breaching the election law by posting election related content on their Facebook account the day before the polling on 6 May 2016, widely known as ‘Cooling-off Day’. The investigation of the two bloggers is a clear attempt of the Singaporean Government to create a climate of fear, and to silence any critics, especially in online spaces. We call on the Singaporean Government to immediately cease the investigations of Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung, to return their assets and to respect their right to freedom of expression. We further demand the Singaporean Government to fully implement their adopted recommendations from the first cycle of the UPR, and accept all pending recommendations from the second cycle of the UPR, including the ratification of core human rights treaties, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Stop harassing online activists and allow the freedom of expression.
Keep Reading →The family of Kho Jabing is in anguish as they are forced to confront his death after his conviction for unintentional murder was upheld and appeals quashed. The same Apex court of 5 judges dismissed Kho Jabing appeal against his death penalty today. Think Centre strongly deplores the imminent execution of Kho Jabing today. Although amendments were made to the death penalty regime in 2012, the Government of Singapore continues its defence of the death penalty at both the national and international arena. Singapore's amended death penalty regime is deeply flawed through its failure to apply the minimum threshold required under international law. Many international law experts, academics, and human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concern that Singapore's justification for the deterrent value of the death penalty is without substance. The Government has consistently failed to produce any verifiable or credible empirical evidence in support of its position. Stripped bare of all cleverly worded language, what is left exposed, is a simple emotional appeal for retribution that serves no one's benefit except to demonstrate the overwhelming and unbearable power of the State to determine one's life and death. What is ironic is that the implementation of capital punishment is in itself, through the extensive involvement of august institutions of the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary, a methodical and calculated act of blatant disregard for human life, par excellence.
Keep Reading →Think Centre (TC) calls for the State to urgently review its treatment of Amos Yee before his final sentencing is confirmed. The State should immediately allow him to be transferred from his remand location at block 7 to either a suitably equipped private hospital to continue his assessment or at the minimum, to the private wards available in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), to prevent further deterioration of his mental well-being.
Keep Reading →Lets work together to make a difference to the working poor who earn S$1500 and below. This is a good time to think, to pause and reflect on building solidarity among workers and to ensure decent work and minimum wage for all. Lets call to end "survival wage" and remind those who reject the call for decent work and minimum wage to be in solidarity with the working poor. Singapore achieves phenomenal growth but productivity remains very low as employers are free to exploit local and migrant workers with low "survival" wages and long working hours. Lets call for decent work and minimum wage for all workers on this International Workers Day. Lets stop the exploitation of all workers and call for the protection of human and workers rights for all without discrimination.
Keep Reading →Today, many respect the first generation of Singaporeans and their leaders, chief among them was Lee Kuan Yew. However, as with the history of many successful leaders, these gains came at a great price.
Keep Reading →The capital punishment can never be justified. The European Union opposes capital punishment under all circumstances and calls for its universal abolition.
Keep Reading →The United Nations Human Rights Office for South East Asia (OHCHR) today expressed deep concerns over the resumption of executions in Singapore after 3 years of suspension, despite the overwhelming global trend towards abolishing the death penalty.
Keep Reading →Regressive development in Asia, following the trend set earlier by Japan and Taiwan, Singapore resumes executions after an unofficial moratorium since July 2011.
Keep Reading →Singapore has taken a reprehensible U-turn by executing the first two prisoners since 2011, Amnesty International and the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) said today.
Keep Reading →The latest figures from the Central Provident Fund showed that more than half of active CPF members who turn 55 have less than the Minimum Sum in their accounts.
Keep Reading →The recent enactment of the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Act or PO-ATM Act confirms that Singapore is still possessed by the "siege mentality" and a deep sense of insecurity.
Keep Reading →The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUS-FTA) that will be considered by the European Parliament must not be promoted at the expense of human, labour, or environmental rights.
Keep Reading →Think Centre expresses grave concerns regarding the apparent discordant gap of Singapore laws and practices in violation of international standards in the treatment and handling of migrant workers.
Keep Reading →We urge the government to strongly re-consider the total abolition of the death penalty, and to institute a review every 20 years for life imprisonment cases, so as to bring us in line with more developed and progressive nation.
Keep Reading →Think Centre calls for the legislation of anti-discrimination laws to better protect all workers, women and migrant workers, implement minimum wage to help bridge the gap between the rich and poor.
Keep Reading →Many Singaporeans and migrant workers are feeling that there is a "pervasive sense of deep injustice that the weakest are being asked to sacrifice the most".
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