Campaigners condemn Singapore Civil Society Clampdown

Singing no help in Singapore

This week, the Singapore government, due to host the annual meetings of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group from 14th - 20th
September 2006 banned several campaign groups from entering the country.

From Singapore, Nessa Ni Chasaide, co-ordinator of Debt and Development
Coalition Ireland, said;

"We are outraged that our colleagues, working in such credible campaigning organisations, have been prevented from entering Singapore. As a result they will be prevented from joining us in voicing their views on World Bank and IMF policies that have such a negative impact on the lives of impoverished people. We call on the Irish government, who will be represented in Singapore this week as a member of the World Bank and IMF, to demand a reversal of this unjust and undemocratic decision taken by the Singapore government."
The banned organisations include groups from the UK, Italy, Indonesia, the
Philippines and the wider Asia region, who have campaigned non-violently for
reform of the World Bank and IMF over many years.

Ms Ni Chasaide continued,

"Singapore is a state which does not permit civil society dissent or protest. By deciding to host their meetings here, the World Bank and IMF are effectively silencing peaceful, democratic resistance to the harmful policies of these powerful institutions."