A Singapore court Tuesday sentenced British writer Alan Shadrake to six weeks in prison and a fine for 20,000 Singapore dollars (11,320 euros) for criticising the country’s use of the death penalty in his book Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock. Failure to pay the fine would add two weeks to his sentence.
Paris-based press freedom group Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) deplored the decision to jail a man who is 76 and unwell, and whose only crime was to exercise his critical powers. As a Commonwealth member, Singapore is supposed to promote democracy and the rule of law. The Commonwealth’s 1991 Harare Declaration accorded particular importance to the rights of the individual and ethical governance.
The press freedom organization will pay close attention to what happens next. Shadrake has a week to appeal. It is to be hoped that clemency and the principles of fair and humane justice will prevail when the judicial authorities consider his appeal. Shadrake has no place in prison and deserves nothing but praise for his work.
RSF called on the UK authorities to use all means at their disposal to help to resolve this British citizen’s plight. Surprised by the silence from Britain and the European Union on this matter, the organisation urged them to remind Singapore of the importance they attach to freedom of expression and justice.
