In September, criminal charges were brought against activists for organizing "illegal assemblies" in 2024 and 2025
Originally published in Global Voices in Spanish
Watch the light of the candles before an execution in Singapore, February 2025. The participants expressed their opposition to the death penalty as a punishment. Capture YouTube video from The Online Citizen. legitimate use.
This article is part of the Global Voices Spotlight series of September 2026, "Protest in Democracy. " This series seeks to explore the different forms of protests, the tactics that States use to de-legitimize and suppress them, and the complex relationship between protest and democracy. You can support this coverage with a donation.
The submission criminal charges against several activists for participating in public protests highlights Singapore's restrictive policies, making it almost impossible for citizens to express disconformity or even solidarity without generating a negative reaction from the authorities.
On September 7, prominent activist Jolovan Wham was charged six charges for violating public order law for organizing an assembly and participating in candle vigil in support of persons facing execution, without the authorization of the police. Two days later, six human rights defenders are also charged activities in support of Palestine and for campaigning against the death penalty without having obtained authorization from the authorities.
The alleged illegal assemblies in 2025 and 2025 included a campaign to send letters to government agencies, watch in the light of the candles and fly comets to show concern about the murders of children in Palestine.
Elijah Tay, one of the accused, stated in a Facebook post that the Singapore Government should take responsibility for its "complicity in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians."
This morning, around fifty of us joined Jolovan at the same court as he faces a total of ten charges, most of which for candlelight guards for death row prisoners. It was energizing to be amongst fellow citizens, coming together in strength and perseverance.
From Changi Prison to Palestine, we say: No more blood on our hands! Stop the killing of vulnerable drug trade users / workers and Palestinians. And stop the prosecution of those seeking justice! We remain forward and strong in our fight, until all of us are free.
This morning, about fifty people joined Jolovan in the same court where he faces a total of ten charges, most of them for participating in surveillance with candles supporting the death penalty. It was exciting to be among the citizens, united with strength and perseverance.
FromChangi prison Even Palestine, we say, "No more blood in our hands!" Stop killing vulnerable people involved in drug trafficking, workers and Palestinians. Stop also the prosecution of those who seek justice! We stand firm and strong in our struggle, until we are all free.
The activist Teo Soh Lung was satisfied that 300 people had come to court to support the accused, but observed the lack of freedoms in Singapore.
More than 300 people turned up before the State Courts yesterday to support six people facing multiple charges for carrying out peaceful activities that oppose the genocide in Palestine. This is historical because never in the history of activism in Singapore in recent decades have so many come together to support activists being charged in court.
I am deeply sadded, angry and hopeful at what is happening before our eyes. I am sad that Singapore, after more than 60 years of independence are treated worse than colonized people. We have no right to freedom of speech, expression and assembly. I am angry that the state has deemed it fit to investigate and prosecute peaceful activists and waste the precious time of our judiciary.
More than 300 people came before the State courts to support six people who were facing several charges for peaceful activities that were opposed to the genocide in Palestine. This is a historic fact, since never in the last decades of the history of activism in Singapore had so many people gathered to support the activists to whom the court has accused.
I am deeply sorry, indignated and hopeful for what is happening before our eyes. I am sorry for the Singaporeans, whom after more than 60 years of independence they treat worse than colonized peoples. We have no right to freedom of expression and assembly. I am displeased that the State has considered it appropriate to investigate and prosecute peaceful activists, and to waste our judicial power's precious time.
SOLIDARITY ALAS
We join in supporting the six people facing charges.
Show compassion and raise your voice for a more kind and human world should never be considered a crime.
Remembering innocent children who have lost their lives should never be a reason for punishment."Can Singapore maintain order without overcriminalizing peaceful expression? Can we protect cohesion without demanding silent obedience?"
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No speeches. No big deal. Only his name, raised to heaven so that they would not be forgotten.Very happy to see so many people appear in court to show their support. At least there are still people willing to think for themselves, to question what they are told, and to look at what is going on with their own eyes rather than accept any narrative given to them.
I don't think remembering dead children should be something we're afraid of doing.
The opposition political party Red Point criticized the criminalization of peaceful expression.
Singapore must protect public order, public safety, and social cohesion. But laws mean to deal with genuine threats must not turn peaceful consciousness, moving and public expression into criminal matters by default. Can Singapore preserve order without over-criminalizing peaceful expression? Can we protect cohesion without demanding quiet obedience? Can we uphold the law while ensuring that it remains fair, proportionate and worthy of public respect?
Singapore must protect public order, public security and social cohesion. But laws to deal with genuine threats should not by default become the peaceful expression of conscience, duel and public expression in criminal matters. Can Singapore preserve order without criminalizing peaceful expression? Can we protect cohesion without demanding silent obedience? Can we comply with the law and at the same time ensure that it remains fair, proportionate and worthy of public respect?
Professor Paul Ananth Tambyah, leader of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party Remember the authorities on the detrimental impact of excessive police control on the right of citizens to peaceful dissent.
Gathering in a vigil to mourn the death of a fellow human being and to protest against such a draconian law cannot be a crime.
Continuing to exercise such minimal and total control over young Singapore and preventing them from expressing peaceful dissent is a one-way ticket to decline in a world where free expression and innovation are essential for us to rise above the machines.
Meeting in a vigil to mourn the death of another human being and protest against such a repressive law cannot be a crime.
To continue to exercise such irrational and absolute control over young Singaporeans and to prevent them from peacefully expressing dissent is a path without return to decline in a world where freedom of expression and innovation are essential for us to be above machines.
Since its founding in the 1960s, Singapore has been governed by a dominant party that was based on draconian laws to preserve its political hegemony. Public order law is often used to punish activists for conducting "illegal" assemblies and activities. Activist Jolovan Wham even went charged under this law for holding a sign with a smiling face in front of a police station in 2020.
Human rights groups such as Amnesty International, CIVICUS, and Human Rights Watch have issued a statement criticizing Singapore's "permit regime," which socava the right to protest from the people.
Criminalizing such activities is a clear violation of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the latest chapter in a long-standing campaign against activists and human rights defenders in the country.
The prosecution of individuals for peacefully expressing their views and assembly in support of human rights causes serious concerns about the continuing restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Singapore.
Criminalizing these activities is a clear violation of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and the most recent chapter of an old campaign against human rights activists and defenders in the country.
To prosecute people for peaceful expression of their views and to meet in support of human rights-related cases raises serious concerns about the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in Singapore.
They added that filing charges for activities of several years ago may "have a deterrent effect on civic space and discourage public participation in matters of legitimate public interest."
If convicted under the law of public order, the offender can be fined from US $3,000 (US $2350) to US $10,000 (US $7850), and be sentenced to imprisonment from six months to three years.
