Amnesty studying Rajendran judgment

HUMAN rights group Amnesty International is studying the judgment against Mr Joshua Ben Jeyaretnam in the light of the report by its trial observer Canadian Judge Paul Bentley.

The Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking). Co-ordinator for Singapore and Malaysia, Margaret John told Singapore Window, "Amnesty regrets the judgement against Mr Jeyaretnam."

The relatively low level of damages awarded by Judge S Rajendran raises a number of questions - including how well founded the civil suits were, and what was the government's primary motivation in bringing the action, she said.

"Amnesty is concerned such judgments have broader implications on political life in Singapore: the judgment is likely to inhibit freedom of expression and deter the peaceful expression of dissenting political opinion," Ms John said.

Amnesty Interrnational