EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2004 2009 26.1.2005 0004/2005 WRITTEN DECLARATION for entry in the register pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure by Graham Watson on Singapore Lapse date: 26.4.2005 PE 354.150 Or. en EN EN The European Parliament, - having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas a Singapore opposition leader, Chee Soon Juan, has lost a three-year legal battle against defamation charges brought by the city-state's founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, B. whereas Singapore's High Court ruled that Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party must pay Lee and former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong S$500 000 (USD 303 600) in damages in relation to a case dating back to Singapore's 2001 general election, C. whereas Chee, a free speech advocate, was found guilty in August 2002 of defaming Lee and Goh for questioning their use of public funds during the 2001 poll and lost an appeal in 2003, D. concerned by the fact that the damages mean Chee will most likely be forced to declare himself bankrupt, effectively ruling him out of the next elections due by 2007, if he cannot pay S$300 000 to Goh and S$200 000 to Lee, E. noting that Singapore laws forbid bankrupts from standing for office, F. strongly believing that defamation lawsuits brought by Singapore leaders are designed to cripple the opposition and are being misused by the executive to intimidate and deter those Singaporeans holding dissenting views, 1. Calls on the Government of Singapore to respect rule of law and pluralism of opinion; 2. Calls on the Government of Singapore to set the conditions for free and fair elections in 2007; 3. Calls on the Council and the Commission to raise Parliament’s concern during the negotiations on a partnership and cooperation agreement between the EU and Singapore; 4. Instructs its President to forward this written declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Singapore. - 2 - PE 354.150 Or. en .