[stop-imf] Singapore will cane protesters at IMF/Bank meetings in Sept

[Robert Weissman]

Singapore: We'll cane protesters
Tuesday, January 17, 2006; Posted: 3:23 a.m. EST (08:23 GMT)

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -- Singapore's government said it is prepared to
cane or imprison protesters who commit violent crimes during the annual
World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings, to be held in the
city-state in September.
The World Bank and IMF expect about 16,000 people to attend their annual
meetings, which often attract anti-globalization demonstrations and
other protesters.

Tightly controlled Singapore bans public demonstrations or protests, and
uses punishments including caning and the death penalty to curb crime.

"The Police would not hesitate to investigate and prosecute any breach
of our laws," Wong Kan Seng, Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs, told
Parliament on Monday, according to a written answer to questions
distributed by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts
on Tuesday.

"This is especially so for any person or groups committing violent
crimes such as vandalism, arson, and causing hurt which would attract
severe punishment, including caning and imprisonment," Wong said.

Singapore attracted worldwide attention in 1994 when an American
teenager, Michael Fay, was caned for vandalism.

The city-state is keen to attract more conferences and other big events
to boost tourism. The World Bank/IMF meeting is an opportunity for it to
show off its modern infrastructure.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4619444.stm
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