The International Bar Association (IBA) has been attacked by opposition politicians in Singapore for holding its annual conference this year in the city-state and has been asked to reconsider its decision 'for the sake of the rule of law'.


In a letter to IBA president Fernando Pombo, Chee Soon Juan, secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party, said much of what is happening in the country - such as attacks on the freedoms of speech and assembly, detention without trial, and the use of defamation actions to silence critics - 'goes against [much], if not most, of what the IBA stands and works for'.



His call for the IBA to boycott Singapore is backed by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and Swedish MP and human rights campaigner Birgitta Ohlsson.



Mr Chee's own plight - including detention last year for speaking publicly without a permit in opposition to the ruling People's Action Party - has attracted support from international human rights groups.



Mr Pombo said it was not uncommon that countries hosting IBA events are challenged to adhere to human rights norms. 'Yet, the IBA's very presence has allowed us to engage the legal profession on the importance of governance, transparency and the rule of law,' he argued.



He said the October conference would have an entire day dedicated to a debate on the rule of law.



However, AHRC executive director Basil Fernando told the Gazette that Singaporean lawyers would be wary of taking part in this.



See also Editorial



Neil Rose