[stop-imf] More on Singapore potential caning of IMF protesters

[Robert Weissman]

* Singapore acceded to the request by the IMF and World Bank allowing
demonstrations to gain the right to host what is expected to be the
biggest meeting in the city-state=92s history.

* But Wong Kan Seng, the home affairs minister and deputy prime
minister, said Singapore reserved the right to vet further the
accredited group to determine =93the potential impact on law and order as
well as the suitability of the proposed [rally] location=94 before a
police permit would be issued. Violent protesters would face the threat
of caning and imprisonment, as prescribed under Singapore law, he said.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/8b40203e-87b8-11da-8762-0000779e2340.html
Financial Times

Singapore threatens to cane violent anti-IMF protesters
By John Burton in Singapore
Published: January 18 2006 01:09 | Last updated: January 18 2006 01:09

world bank imfViolent protesters at the annual meetings of the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Singapore could face
caning and imprisonment, a minister said yesterday.

The warning came as Singapore suggested it might impose restrictions on
an agreement with the IMF and the World Bank to allow demonstrations
during their meetings in September.

As part of a policy of constructive engagement, the World Bank and IMF
have allowed non-governmental organisations to hold rallies at annual
meetings as long as the groups are accredited by the two organisations.

But Wong Kan Seng, the home affairs minister and deputy prime minister,
said Singapore reserved the right to vet further the accredited group to
determine =93the potential impact on law and order as well as the
suitability of the proposed [rally] location=94 before a police permit
would be issued. Violent protesters would face the threat of caning and
imprisonment, as prescribed under Singapore law, he said.

Singapore acceded to the request by the IMF and World Bank allowing
demonstrations to gain the right to host what is expected to be the
biggest meeting in the city-state=92s history.

Demonstrations are normally banned in Singapore, where outdoor political
gatherings of four or more persons are illegal without a police permit.

The last police licence for a demonstration was issued in the late 1980s
to the state-affiliated trade union movement, which rallied outside the
US embassy to protest against alleged interference in Singapore=92s affairs=
.

Chee Soon Juan, head of the opposition Singapore Democratic party, has
suggested that he would use the IMF/World Bank gathering to stage
non-violent civil disobedience activities in protest against what he
says is government repression. Mr Wong has warned the government will
crack down on such protests.