Wed 5 Nov 2008

Juris Illuminae Vol. 5 Issue 3 (November)

Posted by sinyan.tan under Archives , Juris
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Editorial

What exactly are “human rights”? The term has come under much public scrutiny after it was characterised as a way for foreign “fanatics” to impose their views unto Singapore. Is this the new form of colonialism by the West?

Notwithstanding the polemic views in this area, there is something universal about human rights. The best evidence of this is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which turns 60 this year. It arose out of a devastating world war and out of a common sentiment that if a state was left unchecked, it would exploit its citizens. In order to have freedom, peace and justice, human dignity and rights must be protected by the state.

Even so, foreign legal elements cannot simply be transplanted here. The legal context of Singapore is unique. Our distinct demographic, economic and security profile means that it is dangerous for us to claim that a certain right now exists and shall be interpreted using whatever foreign sources we can find. The right has to be harmonious with our laws or else we are not finding a solution but only admitting a new problem.

If we are to define “human rights”, it has to be our human rights, and not because someone else told us this is so or that it would be good for us. While foreign solutions can be persuasive, they must fit in the local context, and the only way we can find the best fit is through dialogue and a common appreciation that we are in this together as a nation. (Read the Print Version: Juris Illuminae Vol. 5 Issue 3 Print Edition) (more…)

 

Thu 9 Oct 2008

Juris Illuminae Vol. 5 Issue 2 (October)

Posted by sinyan.tan under Juris
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(Read the Print Version: Juris Illuminae Vol. 5 Issue 2 Print Edition)

  • Liberalising Expression at Hong Lim Park: Speakers No Longer Cornered? by Hong Jia

    The rules at Speakers’ Corner have been relaxed, interest groups have stepped up to take advantage of this, but how long this hype will last is questionable. (Read More)

  • You Can Take the Train, but Leave My Rights on It by Ang Hou Fu

    There is a wide variety of content available on the Internet, but what can one do with it? Or rather, what is one legally allowed to do with it? For example, would using a picture downloaded from a website as my MSN Messenger display picture be considered stealing? (Read More)

  • PEMA and the Arts in Singapore by Amos Toh

    Recent productions such as Apocalypse Live! and Swordfish in the Singapore Theatre Festival have successfully skirted PEMA restriction. How long and how effectively can the lcoal art scene dance around them? (Read More)

  • An Evaluation of AIMS: Deregulation or A Game of Catch Up? by Gavin Ng

    The iron fist in the regulation of political content in new media may just have loosened its grip - if Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were to get his way, that is. (Read More)

  • Crime and Punishment: The Problems of Sentencing by Melanie Hong

    The 22nd Singapore Law Review Lecture delivered by AG Professor Walter Woon. (Read More)

  • The Google Generation: What Are They Reading? by Yvonne Poon

    The anonymity of the Internet poses a tricky problem for regulatory bodies but the myth of self-regulation may very well materialise in the form of Wikipedia’s genius. (Read More)

  • In Conversation with Lord Woolf: Issues in the Pursuit of Justice by Teo Chin Ghee

    “Judicial independence doesn’t require judicial isolation.” That was the essence of “In Conversation with Lord Woolf”, a talk by the former Chief Justice of England and Wales from 2000 to 2005, Lord Harry Kenneth Woolf, held in the Subordinate Courts on 10 September 2008, during which he shared his personal insights about his time on the Bench. (Read More)

  • Organ Sales: Local Courts Tackle Organ Sale Offence Amidst Talk of Liberalisation by Cheryl Chai

    Case Highlight on Public Prosecutor v. Sulaiman Damanik and Another [2008] SGDC 175 and Public Prosecutor v. Tang Wee Sung [2008] SGDC 262 (Read More)

  • Forum Illuminae by

    Responses to the Article “Discrimination Enshrined in the Law: A Short Commentary” (Published August 2008) -

    Response by Bryan Chang (Read More)
    Response by Muhd Aidil (Read More)

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