Council for a Community of Democracies

Chee Soon Juan and Ghandi Ambalam Detail Experience in Singapore Prison
January 22, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell

Dr. Chee Soon Juan and Ghandi Ambalam recently recounted their experiences in Singapore’s Changi Ramand prison in front of a judge, after being summoned to face illegal assembly charges. The two are in the midst of one-week prison sentences for distributing pamphlets critical of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

According to the Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) newsletter, Dr. Chee and Mr. Ambalam complained of poor treatment in the prison, citing long periods without exercise, lack of light in the cells and, in the case of Ambalam, the denial of proper medical care.

While in court, both men were cuffed and shackled, prompting Chee’s sister, Ms. Chee Siok Chin, to read to the court the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and ask for the immediate removal of the prisoner’s ankle restraints. The judge, who had already asked for the removal of their handcuffs, granted the request.

Dr. Chee Soon Juan is a member of CCD’s International Steering Committee, which has issued a statement criticizing the government of Singapore for the improper detention of Dr. Chee and Mr. Ambalam, and may be read here.

Sources:

Singapore Democrats E-Newsletter - Cuffed, shackled and chained
http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3310-cuffed-shackled-and-chained

Dr. Chee Soon Juan in prison again with opposition colleague – Amnesty International
http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2010/01/20/singapore-dr-chee-soon-juan-in-prison-again-with-opposition.html