Report on Malaysia

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2007
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

Outline of the Report on Singapore

SINGAPORE is a parliamentary republic in which the People's Action Party (PAP), in power since 1959, overwhelmingly dominates politics. The population was approximately 4.6 million, with foreign workers accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total. Opposition parties exist, parliamentary elections take place at regular, constitutionally mandated intervals (most recently in May 2006), and the voting and vote-counting systems are fair and free from tampering; however, the PAP placed formidable obstacles in the path of political opponents. The PAP held 82 of 84 elected parliamentary seats and all ministerial positions. The civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

The government has broad powers to limit citizens' rights and to handicap political opposition, which it used. Caning is an allowable punishment for numerous offenses. The following human rights problems were reported: preventive detention, executive influence over the judiciary, infringement of citizens' privacy rights, restriction of speech and press freedom and the practice of self-censorship by journalists, restriction of freedom of assembly and association, limited restriction of freedom of religion, and some trafficking in persons.

Read full report on Singapore

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From:

a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life
b. Disappearance
c. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading     Treatment or Punishment

Prison and Detention Center Conditions

d. Arbitrary Arrest or Detention
e. Denial of Fair Public Trial

Trial Procedures

Political Prisoners and Detainees

Civil Judicial Procedures and Remedies

f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence

Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including:

a. Freedom of Speech and Press

Internet Freedom

Academic Freedom and Cultural Events

a. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association

Freedom of Assembly

Freedom of Association

c. Freedom of Religion

Societal Abuses and Discrimination

d. Freedom of Movement, Internally Displaced Persons, Protection of Refugees, and Stateless Persons

Protection of Refugees

Section 3 Respect for Political Rights: The Right of Citizens to Change Their Government

Elections and Political Participation

Government Corruption and Transparency

Section 4 Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Violations of Human Rights

Section 5 Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons

Women Children Trafficking in Persons Persons with Disabilities National/Racial/Ethnic Minorities Other Societal Abuses and Discrimination

Section 6 Worker Rights

a. The Right of Association
b. The Right to Organize and Bargain Collectively
c. Prohibition of Forced or Compulsory Labor
d. Prohibition of Child Labor and Minimum Age for Employment
e. Acceptable Conditions of Work

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