Dear Concerned Global Citizens,
Please consider printing out and signing this attached petition on behalf of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party and Chair of the 18-nation Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA). Please fax or snail mail the petition to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. Thank you.
World Movement for Democracy (www.wmd.org)
PETITION ON BEHALF OF DR. CHEE SOON JUAN
October 24, 2003
The Honorable Goh Chok Tong
Prime Minister
Istana Annexe
Singapore 238823
Republic of Singapore
Fax: 67324627
The Honorable Lee Kuan Yew
Senior Minister
Istana Annexe
Singapore 238823
Republic of Singapore
Fax: 67345244
Dear Sirs:
WE, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Singapore to respect human rights and the rule of law in the Republic of Singapore. The continued use of a politically compliant judiciary to bankrupt opposition leaders is totally unacceptable in a democracy.
The process of democratization can be started by the guarantee that Dr. Chee Soon Juan, the Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party, is not forced to pay crippling amounts of money in January 2004 when the assessments of costs and damages are heard in the lawsuit that you have brought against him.
If Dr. Chee is made bankrupt as a result of your legal actions, he will be made ineligible for elections. This outcome is hardly in the interest of democracy and the future social health and security of Singapore. We appeal to you to allow all Singaporeans the political freedoms that they both desire and require to build a prosperous, creative, and dynamic country. This democratic opening will be very helpful in building relations with nations which respect the human rights of citizens.
Sincerely yours,