No go for International Migrants Day
The following article was published in TODAY on 15 Dec 2010.
No go for International Migrants Day
by Cheow Xin Yi
TODAY, Dec 15, 2010
SINGAPORE - The police have rejected applications by civil society groups Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) to hold activities commemorating International Migrants Day on Saturday.
The groups wanted to hold a vehicle procession to raise awareness of the dangers of migrant workers being transported on the back of lorries as well as to distribute flyers to raise awareness of the United Nations Convention for the protection of migrant workers, which the Singapore Government has not ratified.
When contacted by MediaCorp, a police spokesperson said: "The permit applications were not approved due to law and order considerations. The police have advised the two NGOs to hold their activities within the confines of the Speakers' Corner instead."
Home executive director Jolovan Wham feels that law and order is not an issue, though, especially in the case of flyer distribution, where 20 volunteers would be paired and spread out, instead of congregating in one place.
"It's not possible to have our flyer distribution at Speakers' Corner because the aim is to distribute to as many people as possible and there won't be anyone there on a weekend," he told MediaCorp.
A vehicle procession at Speakers' Corner, he added, would also defeat the purpose, as "it'll just be a drive around the park".
The two groups are appealing the decision.
In their appeal letter, they said the planned events were "in line with national interest" and do not pose a threat to public order.
"Our activities are public education initiatives, which are in line with the stated objectives of our Registry of Societies-approved constitutions, which is to raise awareness of the need to protect migrant workers under Singapore's existing law," said the appeal.
The letter noted how similar gatherings in the past, such as last year's May Day Solidarity Walk organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Consumers Association of Singapore's nationwide event in 2008 titled Walk with Case to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day, were allowed.
And this weekend, there is an event to mark International Migrants Day: An initiative by NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation, with Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Manpower) Hawazi Daipi as guest-of-honour, that includes a talent quest among migrant workers and celebrity performances at the Float@Marina Bay before a 12,000-strong audience.
No police permit was required for this, as it is a recreational event, the Police spokesperson said.
No go for International Migrants Day
by Cheow Xin Yi
TODAY, Dec 15, 2010
SINGAPORE - The police have rejected applications by civil society groups Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) to hold activities commemorating International Migrants Day on Saturday.
The groups wanted to hold a vehicle procession to raise awareness of the dangers of migrant workers being transported on the back of lorries as well as to distribute flyers to raise awareness of the United Nations Convention for the protection of migrant workers, which the Singapore Government has not ratified.
When contacted by MediaCorp, a police spokesperson said: "The permit applications were not approved due to law and order considerations. The police have advised the two NGOs to hold their activities within the confines of the Speakers' Corner instead."
Home executive director Jolovan Wham feels that law and order is not an issue, though, especially in the case of flyer distribution, where 20 volunteers would be paired and spread out, instead of congregating in one place.
"It's not possible to have our flyer distribution at Speakers' Corner because the aim is to distribute to as many people as possible and there won't be anyone there on a weekend," he told MediaCorp.
A vehicle procession at Speakers' Corner, he added, would also defeat the purpose, as "it'll just be a drive around the park".
The two groups are appealing the decision.
In their appeal letter, they said the planned events were "in line with national interest" and do not pose a threat to public order.
"Our activities are public education initiatives, which are in line with the stated objectives of our Registry of Societies-approved constitutions, which is to raise awareness of the need to protect migrant workers under Singapore's existing law," said the appeal.
The letter noted how similar gatherings in the past, such as last year's May Day Solidarity Walk organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Consumers Association of Singapore's nationwide event in 2008 titled Walk with Case to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day, were allowed.
And this weekend, there is an event to mark International Migrants Day: An initiative by NTUC and the Singapore National Employers Federation, with Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Manpower) Hawazi Daipi as guest-of-honour, that includes a talent quest among migrant workers and celebrity performances at the Float@Marina Bay before a 12,000-strong audience.
No police permit was required for this, as it is a recreational event, the Police spokesperson said.
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