Singapore: Drop Charges against Civil Society Activists ...& Statement Against the Singapore Government's Crackdown on Local Activists

When GOVERNMENTS start 'crackdowns' , threats... against Human Rights Defenders and civil society - this is a MATTER of serious concern - that must worry every good person. 

Remember today Human Rights Defenders are recognized by its member States, including Singapore. Are the crackdown because the STATE is unhappy with matters HIGHLIGHTED and Questions raised  - if so, it is WRONG > Any Country, more so a democratic nations, must never target or attack those who a different view from the State, or HIGHLIGHTS wrongdoings or expressed a different view

See also what is happening in Malaysia

#HentiBungkamNGO: Non-Government Organisations Strongly Condemn Repression of Civil Society Voices (89 Groups)

 

 

 

STATEMENT - 28 September 2026

Singapore: Drop Charges against Civil Society Activists and Protect Peaceful Assembly

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC) and other civil society advocates in Singapore. We express grave concern about reports of criminal proceedings in connection with anti-death penalty and pro-Palestine advocacy. We urge the Singaporean authorities to withdraw the charges relating to peaceful advocacy and uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Criminal Proceedings against Civil Society Activists

We received reports that Singaporean authorities have been prosecuting several civil society activists—including Jolovan Wham, Elijah Tay, Kokila Annamalai, Kirsten Han, Rocky Howe, Neo Swee Lin, Lim Kay Siu, and Suraendher Kumarr—for alleged violations of the Public Order Act and other related laws in connection with their advocacy activities. These actions include anti-death penalty activism (such as vigils for individuals facing imminent execution) and pro-Palestine initiatives (such as flying named kites, organising a shoe memorial for Gaza students, delivering petition letters, and chanting slogans). Additionally, individuals reportedly face charges for taking group photos outside the State Courts—which authorities allege constituted an assembly without a permit in a prohibited area—and for refusing to answer police questions during interrogations. 

Beyond those facing formal charges, several other participants in these events were reportedly issued conditional or stern police warnings.1

If proven guilty of these charges, the activists may face potential penalties, such as:

# Public Order Act (POA) Charges:

○ Participating in an unauthorised public assembly / assembly in a prohibited area: First-time convictions typically carry fines of up to SGD 3,000 to SGD 5,000. Repeat offenses or organising an assembly without a permit can result in higher fines (up to SGD 10,000) and potential imprisonment for up to 6 months. (For precedent, Jolovan Wham previously reportedly received fines between SGD 3,200 and SGD 3,500 per charge for similar offenses.)

● Section 179 Penal Code (Refusing to Answer a Public Servant):

○ Refusing to answer questions during a police inquiry carries a punishment of up to 1 month in prison, a fine of up to SGD 1,500, or both.

● Section 298A Penal Code (Promoting Enmity / Disturbance of Public Tranquillity):

○ Intentionally promoting enmity between different groups on racial or religious grounds carries a significantly harsher penalty of up to 3 years in prison, a fine, or both.

These prosecutions coincide with a surge in state executions, as Singapore reached its reported 19th hanging of the year on the same day that around 300 people gathered at court in solidarity with the charged activists.

Concerns about Freedom of Assembly and Civic Space

The usage of the Public Order Act against human rights defenders may amount to an unjustifiable infringement on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Permit requirements in violation of international human rights law for peaceful gatherings restrict the democratic space required for civil society to function effectively. This could be compounded by alleged delay in the prosecution of offenses. Bringing charges and issuing warnings in September 2026 for peaceful activities conducted as far back as 2022 may subject advocates to protracted uncertainty. In our view, the use of criminal proceedings in response to peaceful advocacy raises serious concerns about the protection of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. We believe that individuals should be able to express their views and participate in peaceful gatherings without restrictions that are against international human rights law.

Calls to Action

We strongly call on the Singapore government to:

● Immediately drop charges relating to peaceful advocacy activities.

● Safeguard the right of individuals to hold peaceful demonstrations in compliance with international human rights law.

Endorsed by:
1. Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN)
2. Capital Punishment Justice Project (Australia)
3. World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP)
4. Coalition Against the Death Penalty (CADP) (Philippines)
5. Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM)
6. Lembaga Bantuan Hukum Masyarakat (LBHM) (Indonesia)
7. Maldivian Democracy Network (MDN)
8. Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (MADPET) (Malaysia)
9. Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP) (Taiwan)
10. Redemption Pakistan

1 FIDH, Singapore: Criminal proceedings against human rights defenders Jolovan Wham, Elijah Tay,Kirsten Han, and Kokila Annamalai over peaceful activism.
https://www.fidh.org/en/issues/human-rights-defenders/singapore-criminal-proceedings-against-human-rights-defenders-jolovan

Below, a statement by BRAVE Singapore HR Defenders... 

Statement Against the Singapore Government's Crackdown on Local Activists

29 Sept. 2026, SINGAPORE | Singapore has long been known for its strict laws against public assembly and dissent. The city state is also known for its harsh penalties for drug-related offences, including an active and relentless enforcement of capital punishment. At press time, Singapore has executed nineteen individuals in 2026—the highest number in over 20 years.

Over the past weeks, numerous activists in Singapore have received charges and warnings for 'offences' under overly broad legislation.

More than ten individuals have been charged with 'offences' pertaining to various peaceful actions and on 28 Sept. 2026, six activists had a first appearance in court, with all six cases adjourned to October. The Singapore Police Force has also served more with stern or conditional warnings for these same actions, some of which had taken place as far back as four years ago.

Among the activists who have received charges and warnings are Jolovan Wham, Elijah Tay, Kirsten Han, Kokila Annamalai, Rocky Howe, Suraendher Kumarr, Neo Swee Lin, and Lim Kay Siu.

As concerned citizens and activists, we have come together to condemn these heavy-handed restrictions on peaceful acts, all of which have been carried out in protest of the death penalty and in support of Palestine. We see great need to draw international attention to Singapore's escalated suppression of civil liberties.

Expansive to the point of absurdity: Singapore's Public Order Act

Most of the activists are facing charges under Singapore's Public Order Act for either organising or participating in public assemblies without permission from the authorities. These include peaceful gatherings and vigils held outside Singapore's Changi Prison for death row prisoners ahead of their executions—in one instance, four people sat quietly around some tea lights for less than an hour. In another, four people merely posed for photos while holding electric candles and a sign reading,"END OPPRESSION, NOT LIFE".

In February 2025, group photos were taken outside the State Courts after one of Jolovan Wham's court mentions relating to some of his earlier charges. People who were in the photo were later summoned for police questioning. So far, eight have been charged for either “organising” or ”taking part in a public assembly within a prohibited area”, and many others issued warnings.

Other actions that activists have now been charged for include: collectively delivering letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs, flying kites to honour children killed in Palestine, and arranging shoes in a memorial for Palestinian students killed in Gaza.

That such actions are now targets of prosecution under the Public Order Act highlights how absurdly broad this legislation is. Essentially, the Public Order Act criminalises almost all public assemblies and processions—including those in which only one person is involved—except those that have been authorised by the police.

Notably, some of these offences took place years ago, going as far back as 2022.

The prolonged and delayed nature of these investigations, warnings, and charges itself indicates that none of these actions caused any harm or danger that required urgent state intervention in the interests of public order and safety.

We condemn the Singapore state's actions against freedoms protected by international human rights standards and Singapore's own constitution, and we question the motives and processes that have fuelled these charges.

At a time when the world grapples with violence, oppression, inequality, and an ongoing climate crisis, the basic right to protest, to gather, to show support, and to argue continues to be threatened in Singapore.

We urge and encourage activists, journalists, and engaged citizens around the world to join us in condemning the actions of the Singapore government. While headlines in financial news and wealth indexes declare Singapore a front-runner, the country's moral and ethical bankruptcy in civil liberties and rights need our collective voices and efforts.

As activists in Singapore gather to defy and oppose the genocide, executions, and the suppression of fundamental freedoms, they are punished, threatened, and intimidated by the police, and the law. In these times we call you to share this news,get in touch, and repost this statement on social media.

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