Singapore which already has some of the most stringent contempt of court laws in the democratic world, is apparently about to tighten them further, alarmed human rights activists say, giving the attorney general the ability to bring contempt of court charges against a wide range of individuals or other interests, particularly the press, and hardening penalties.
The parliament on July 12 passed the bill without amendment on its first reading. It raises penalties for violations including possible prison terms for seven different ways of criticizing the judiciary. They include scandalizing the court, disobeying a court order, making unauthorized recordings, contempt by corporations, unincorporated associations or partnership, violation of the common law rules of the court or questioning its inherent power.
The measure’s second reading is scheduled for Aug. 15, with the final reading probably following shortly after that. To questions whether it might be amended, the Singapore government has a long history of introducing such measures in the certainty that they will pass into law. This one has surfaced just as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has visited the United States and has been hailed by President Barack Obama for the common values shared between the two countries. The use of contempt of court laws, which is relatively rare in the United States, does not appear to be one of those shared values, especially used against the press.
The question is why the law is being toughened now, since Singaporean judges have long brought contempt charges at the drop of a gavel against opponents of the government. Full story...
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The parliament on July 12 passed the bill without amendment on its first reading. It raises penalties for violations including possible prison terms for seven different ways of criticizing the judiciary. They include scandalizing the court, disobeying a court order, making unauthorized recordings, contempt by corporations, unincorporated associations or partnership, violation of the common law rules of the court or questioning its inherent power.
The measure’s second reading is scheduled for Aug. 15, with the final reading probably following shortly after that. To questions whether it might be amended, the Singapore government has a long history of introducing such measures in the certainty that they will pass into law. This one has surfaced just as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has visited the United States and has been hailed by President Barack Obama for the common values shared between the two countries. The use of contempt of court laws, which is relatively rare in the United States, does not appear to be one of those shared values, especially used against the press.
The question is why the law is being toughened now, since Singaporean judges have long brought contempt charges at the drop of a gavel against opponents of the government. Full story...
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