| Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 Released by the US Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights, and LaborPress March 8, 2006 READ the Singapore report Report on Malaysia SINGAPORE is a parliamentary republic in which politics is dominated overwhelmingly by the People's Action Party (PAP), which has been in power since 1959. The population was approximately 4.2 million, with foreign workers accounting for nearly one-seventh of the total. Opposition parties exist, and parliamentary elections take place at regular, constitutionally mandated intervals (most recently in November 2001); however, the PAP holds 82 of 84 elected parliamentary seats and all ministerial positions. The government maintained effective control over all security activities. The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, there were significant problems in some areas. The government has broad powers to limit citizens' rights and to handicap political opposition, which it used in practice. Caning was an allowable punishment for numerous offenses. The following human rights problems were reported: +preventive detention Outline of the Singapore Report 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 Role of the Police and Security Apparatus Arrest and Detention e. Denial of Fair Public Trial Trial Procedures Political Prisoners f. Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence Section 2 Respect for Civil Liberties, Including: a. Freedom of Speech and Press Political and religious Web sites must register with the MDA. b. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association Freedom of Assembly Freedom of Association c. Freedom of Religion Societal Abuses and Discrimination d. Freedom of Movement Within the Country, Foreign Travel, Emigration, and Repatriation Protection of Refugees Elections and Political Parties 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 |
||||