TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 188

SINGAPORE

CONFIDENTIAL

Report by British High Commission, Singapore

Right No.

Rating suggested by Post

2

(i) We believe there is no imprisonment

without trial except for some 70 people, perhaps a few more (say 0.003% of the population) held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for alleged subversive activities. Only about a dozen of these are long term prisoners. Current policy appears to be to release detainees, subject to certain safeguards as soon as they have disavowed their subversive

activities.

Comment by South-East Asia Department

The Internal Security Act (inherited from the British Administration) entitles the Singapore authorities to detain a person without trial for a period of up to two years before reviewing his case, after which this period may be further repeated. would suggested a rating of 3.

(ii) We know of no cases of torture.

(iii) We know of no cases of slavery.

We

(iv) There are no formal restrictions on

freedom of speech. Individuals can and do speak freely, though fear of being labelled "subversive" (and thus detainable under the ISA) inhibits some. Some students probably also feel that they would prejudice future employment chances by

speaking openly against Government. television and radio exercise self-

Press,

censorship on sensitive subjects; papers

have been closed and editors imprisoned for being too critical of Government.

о

о

2

O O N

Comment by South-East Asia Department

People are generally inhibited from criticising the Government publicly, political activities of students are restricted. Newspapers are subject annual licensing. Television and radio are Government controlled. We would suggest a rating of 5.

and

to

/(v)

CONFIDENTIAL