Singapore activists charged over unpermitted vigils and Palestine solidarity actions
Singapore authorities have charged Jolovan Wham and six human rights advocates over candlelight vigils, kite flying and letters filed without police permits, drawing court support and rights-group criticism.
- Jolovan Wham was charged on Sept. 7 with six counts under Singapore's Public Order Act.
- Six human rights advocates were charged two days later over Palestine solidarity and anti-death-penalty activities.
- The alleged assemblies in 2024 and 2025 included letters, candlelight vigils and kite flying.
- More than 300 people turned up at the State Courts to support the accused.
- Convictions can bring fines of SGD 3,000 to SGD 10,000 and prison terms of six months to three years.
More than 300 people turned up at Singapore's State Courts this month to support activists charged over candlelight vigils, kite flying and letters filed without police permits.
On Sept. 7, prominent activist Jolovan Wham was handed six charges under the Public Order Act for organizing an assembly and joining candlelight vigils for people facing execution without police approval. Two days later, six human rights advocates were charged for initiating solidarity activities for Palestine and campaigning against the death penalty without approval.
The alleged illegal assemblies in 2024 and 2025 included letters to government agencies, candlelight vigils and kite flying to show concern over the killing of children in Palestine. Accused activist Elijah Tay said the government should be held accountable for 'complicity in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.'
Activist Teo Soh Lung said the court turnout was historic, but said Singaporeans have no right to freedom of speech, expression and assembly. Opposition figures also criticized the charges, saying laws meant to protect public order should not turn mourning and peaceful expression into crimes.
Amnesty International, CIVICUS and Human Rights Watch said the charges show how Singapore's permit regime subverts the right to protest. They said criminalizing such activities violates freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and can chill civic space.
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.
If convicted under the Public Order Act, offenders can be fined SGD 3,000 (USD 2,350) to SGD 10,000 (USD 7,850) and jailed from six months to three years. The law has long been used against activists; Wham was charged in 2020 for holding a smiley-face placard outside a police station.
Corrections: [email protected]