The Centre for Independent Journalism is shocked by the conviction of Singaporean activist Jolovan Wham for organising a forum on civil disobedience and social movements”.
According to one speaker from the event, Kirsten Han, the grounds for the conviction were that the meeting included a foreign speaker, Joshua Wong, who was present via Skype.
The organisers pointed out that although Joshua was speaking, he would not be physically present at the forum, that the forum was indoors and that it was, according to local reports, an academic discussion.
Jolovan has further been convicted for refusing to sign a police statement, after being told that he would not be furnished with a copy.
The CIJ urges the Singaporean government to repeal the need for permits for any peaceful assembly, to ensure that citizens’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are upheld.
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The right to assembly is meaningless if it means that a person organising a forum held indoors can be sent to prison.
The CIJ further stands in solidarity with Jolovan Wham.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
