Punishing Dissent in Singapore: The Defamation Appeal of Dr. Chee Soon Juan

On April 4, 2003, Singaporean opposition leader and labor activist Dr. Chee Soon Juan lost his appeal in a defamation case that has been ongoing since 2001. He was appealing a judgment finding him liable for defaming Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The complaint brought by these officials related to remarks made by Dr. Chee during a national election campaign while he was advocating for a compensation package for laid off workers.

The Lawyers Committee sent international observers to the appeal hearing in the Singapore High Court in February 2003. These observers concluded that pre-trial and trial procedures in this case failed to meet international standards guaranteeing the right to a fair hearing. In addition, they note that the suit reinforces a long-standing pattern of government acts denying Dr. Chee full protection for the right to freedom of expression.

Read the Trial Observation Report

Read the Singapore Government's Response to the Trial Report

Read the Lawyers Committee's Reply

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