| April 2004
Singapore denies association rights to gay support group, orders to cease activities source: Associated Press newswire story, 6 April 2004, by Gillian Wong
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The Singapore government has denied freedom of association to a gay
advocacy group and warned it to halt all activities, the group said
Tuesday.
The organization, People Like Us, has demanded that the government explain why it considers a support and advocacy group for gay people "unlawful, prejudicial to the public peace" and "contrary to the national interest," co-founder Alex Au said. "The world can rightly perceive Singapore to be an intolerant place that's refusing to move with the times," Au said. The government warned in its formal rejection notice that the group must cease all activities, warning that members of unregistered societies face heavy punishments under the law, Au said. However, it did not specify the penalties. The Home Affairs Ministry was not immediately available for comment. The group tried to register as a society in 1997 and was also refused, Au said. The group would follow the government's instructions and not hold further meetings, but as individuals they will continue to argue for equal rights, he said. The group will also appeal the decision to the home affairs minister, he said, adding "we're not particularly hopeful." People Like Us _ which claims a membership of more than 1,000 _ has been using the Internet to push for gay rights in the tightly controlled city-state. Singapore bans gay sex, defining it as "any act of gross indecency" _ that is punishable by a maximum two years in jail _ but there have been few prosecutions of homosexuals and Singaporeans are largely tolerant of gays. Several bars, clubs and saunas in the city state cater to a specifically gay clientele. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong told Time Magazine in an interview in July that gay Singaporeans would be given greater civil liberties, but warned "don't flaunt your gay rights." "At the pace with which the government is moving on this matter, I wouldn't be surprised if dogs and cats might one day enjoy more rights than gays and lesbians in this country," People Like Us member Martin Loh said. * * * * *
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7 April 2004
Conservative Singaporeans will not tolerate gay groups, government says Singapore said Wednesday that it would ban gay support organizations because its conservative population doesn't believe such groups deserve legitimacy. "As the mainstream moral values of Singaporeans are conservative, it is hence contrary to public interest to grant legitimacy to the promotion of homosexual activities and viewpoints," the Home Affairs Ministry said in a written response to questions. The statement follows a government decision on Tuesday to deny freedom of association to People Like Us, a support and advocacy group for gay people, because it believed the group was "likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to public peace, welfare or good order in Singapore," the ministry said. The government said in its formal rejection notice that the group must halt all activities, warning that members of unregistered societies face heavy punishments under the law, People Like Us co-founder Alex Au said. The group had previously tried to register as a society in 1997 and was also refused, Au said. He said the group will follow the government's instructions and not hold further meetings, but as individuals, members will continue to argue for equal rights. The group has said it will appeal the decision to the home affairs minister. People Like Us -- which claims a membership of more than 1,000 -- has been using the Internet to push for gay rights in the tightly controlled city-state. Singapore bans gay sex, defining it as
"any act of gross indecency" - that is punishable by a maximum
two years in jail -- but there have been few prosecutions of
homosexuals.
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Footnotes
Addenda None
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