TWC2 has produced two videos on the case involving the unfavourable housing and employment conditions of migrant workers in the dormitory at Tagore Lane. This is one of them titled "Plight of Migrant Workers".
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label videos. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Video: Migrant Workers Left In The Lurch
Another video produced by TWC2 titled "Migrant Workers Left in the Lurch".
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Video: In Unity for Her Liberty
Thanks to Patrick Chng for giving us this video of the In Unity for Her Liberty: a Peace Vigil for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Freedom event at Speakers' Corner on 31 May 2009.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Talking Point: Role of bloggers in Online Citizenry
Alex Au of Yawning Bread is one of three guests in this episode of Talking Point about the role of blggers in online citizenry. Thanks to Singapore Enquirer for posting this up.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 1
Part 2
Friday, May 22, 2009
Remembering 22 Singapore Victims of ISA
SGPolitics.net ran this article on 21 May 2009:
Today at 6.30pm, a group of activists held a rally at Hong Lim Park to call for a commission to be set up to investigate and reveal any wrongdoings by state officials in the arrest of 22 Singaporeans under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1987.
In a statement released by the activists, they expressed outrage over the Government’s use of the ISA to violate the fundamental human rights of a group of young social workers, lawyers, businessmen and theatre practitioners during Operation Spectrum on 21 May 1987.
They said that the ISA, which provides for indefinite detention without trial, is a draconian law that should be abolished.
They also said that if any of those who were detained had committed wrongdoing, they should have been charged in a court of law, and that everyone so charged has the basic right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In no uncertain terms, they said the ISA is an outright violation of these rights.
After the statement had been read out, Ms Noora Zul recited a poem written by one of the ex-detainees, and Mr Seelan Palay read out a statement written by Mr Francis Seow in commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of Operation Spectrum.
Finally, the group sang the song Blowing In The Wind by Bob Dylan, which is a song frequently sung at human rights events.
Watch the video of the event
Today at 6.30pm, a group of activists held a rally at Hong Lim Park to call for a commission to be set up to investigate and reveal any wrongdoings by state officials in the arrest of 22 Singaporeans under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1987.
In a statement released by the activists, they expressed outrage over the Government’s use of the ISA to violate the fundamental human rights of a group of young social workers, lawyers, businessmen and theatre practitioners during Operation Spectrum on 21 May 1987.
They said that the ISA, which provides for indefinite detention without trial, is a draconian law that should be abolished.
They also said that if any of those who were detained had committed wrongdoing, they should have been charged in a court of law, and that everyone so charged has the basic right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In no uncertain terms, they said the ISA is an outright violation of these rights.
After the statement had been read out, Ms Noora Zul recited a poem written by one of the ex-detainees, and Mr Seelan Palay read out a statement written by Mr Francis Seow in commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of Operation Spectrum.
Finally, the group sang the song Blowing In The Wind by Bob Dylan, which is a song frequently sung at human rights events.
Watch the video of the event
Sunday, May 3, 2009
RAZORTV's Coverage of AWARE's EGM
Watch the coverage by RAZORTV (www.razortv.com.sg).
Josie Lau and team's press conference after stepping down as AWARE's exco.
AWARE EGM Part 1
AWARE EGM Part 2
AWARE EGM Part 3
Josie Lau and team's press conference after stepping down as AWARE's exco.
AWARE EGM Part 1
AWARE EGM Part 2
AWARE EGM Part 3
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
One Cause for All Women
AWARE has changed the venue of its extraordinary general meeting again.
The meeting will now be held at Exhibition Hall 402, International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Suntec City, from 2pm-5pm on 2 May.
Admission and registration starts from 12pm.
Members are reminded to bring along their NRICs or passports for admission and registration purposes.
The old guard supporters made this video (please note that the venue info at the end of the video is no longer correct).
The meeting will now be held at Exhibition Hall 402, International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Suntec City, from 2pm-5pm on 2 May.
Admission and registration starts from 12pm.
Members are reminded to bring along their NRICs or passports for admission and registration purposes.
The old guard supporters made this video (please note that the venue info at the end of the video is no longer correct).
Saturday, April 25, 2009
AWARE Veterans Set the Record Straight
The Online Citizen ran this story on 25 April 2009:
AWARE Veterans Set the Record Straight
Darren Boon
In a press conference on Friday evening, several veteran stalwarts from AWARE turned up to clarify several issues and accusations raised by the new AWARE team a day earlier.
Apart from the familiar faces of Dana Lim and Constance Singam, was Dr Kanwaljit Soin who broke her silence in public on the AWARE debacle. Dr Soin was one of the founding members of AWARE, and the president of AWARE from 1991 to 1993. She had also served as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) in Singapore from 1992 to 1996.
“As far as I know AWARE has not deviated from its original purpose,” Dr Soin said.
Dr Soin had made it clear that AWARE had been founded on the principle of inclusiveness, and clarified the misconception of AWARE being pro-gay. “We cannot condemn, deny or exclude any woman because of her sexual orientation, because she’s been abused by her husband or because she’s a single mother. And so we accept people for what they are,” she said.
Dr Soin said that AWARE is an organisation for women that supports the idea of women choosing the lives they want in another founding principle of ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Choices’ or ‘Women’s Choices, Women’s Lives’. Dr Soin added that AWARE will offer support to women who approach the organisation for assistance.
Corinna Lim rubbished the talk that the screening of the lesbian movie Spider Lilies showed that AWARE is single-focused and gay-oriented. Lim pointed out that AWARE had also participated in other movie screenings such as the wholesome local family film Singapore Dreaming.
Lim explained that film distributors have approached AWARE to tie-up for charity events and sees this as a good fundraising activity for AWARE. Terms and conditions vary requiring AWARE to sometimes purchase advance tickets or publicising the membership, with AWARE taking a small profit.
Dr Soin also explained there’s a need to address the issue of homosexuality in its sexual education programmes if the programmes are to be comprehensive: “AWARE cannot be an ostrich and buries it head and pretends that it [homosexuality] doesn’t exist. But we don’t go out with this programme and say it’s okay to be lesbian.”
Constance Singam said that the sexual education programmes were introduced in the context of the increasing number of teenage sex, pregnancies and abortions three to four years ago.
“AWARE is not a religious organisation. We do not impose religious values,” Singam said.
She added: “What we are offering are the facts. Kids need space for open discussion where they can get facts, examine themselves, and that is the purpose, objective.”
Dana Lam explained that the education programme had been developed over a period of time with pilot workshops conducted with parental knowledge and involvement. “And we have received good feedback,” she said. “The mention of homosexuality is so miniscule compared to the whole topic.”
Meanwhile, the veterans have also clarified its process for its selection of trainers. In the pre-selection process, candidates have to go through an interview and essay-writing round. After the training programme, the trainers have to go through examinations.
AWARE has so far provided its sexual education training programmes to 12 schools, some of which had approached AWARE to conduct the programmes. The veterans also clarified that the schools have full knowledge of the programmes with teachers having seen and vetted the them before they were given the go ahead. An opt-out form is also provided for those who do not feel comfortable participating in the programmes.
The old guards clarified that teachers and social workers have audited the programme and AWARE has its own auditing process and when necessary made modifications.
Dr Soin also defended her decision to allow associate male members in AWARE. “I realise we cannot change the world for women until we bring the men on board. So we have to work with men hand in hand to change society into a more equal, compassionate and inclusive society.”
The claim that the old guards’ AWARE was trying to get men into the organisation was “inaccurate”, they said. The issue of giving men voting rights first surfaced at the 2008 AGM. A motion was tabled for this purpose but it was defeated. However, it was brought up again at the AGM in March 2009 where the new exco was voted in. At this meeting, the “election took the bulk of the time” and the issue was not debated.
Meanwhile Dr Soin said while she knows who the founding members of AWARE were, she is unaware of any involvement of Dr Thio Su Mien.
“I’ve not heard of Dr Thio Su Mien as being a feminist, so this was a little bit of a surprise for me. But then, we always have closet feminists,” Dr Soin said to laughter from those present.
In her tenure as an NMP in 1995, Dr Soin tabled a Family Violence Bill as a Private Member’s Bill in parliament. The Bill would allow for the protection of victims against family violence and marital rape and police intervention. Although the bill fell through, the issue on family violence has gained public awareness and prominence. The Women’s Charter was later amended by the Singapore government in 1997 and adapted principles and concepts from the proposed Family Violence Bill which gave women more protection from violence.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
AWARE Veterans Set the Record Straight
Darren Boon
In a press conference on Friday evening, several veteran stalwarts from AWARE turned up to clarify several issues and accusations raised by the new AWARE team a day earlier.
Apart from the familiar faces of Dana Lim and Constance Singam, was Dr Kanwaljit Soin who broke her silence in public on the AWARE debacle. Dr Soin was one of the founding members of AWARE, and the president of AWARE from 1991 to 1993. She had also served as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) in Singapore from 1992 to 1996.
“As far as I know AWARE has not deviated from its original purpose,” Dr Soin said.
Dr Soin had made it clear that AWARE had been founded on the principle of inclusiveness, and clarified the misconception of AWARE being pro-gay. “We cannot condemn, deny or exclude any woman because of her sexual orientation, because she’s been abused by her husband or because she’s a single mother. And so we accept people for what they are,” she said.
Dr Soin said that AWARE is an organisation for women that supports the idea of women choosing the lives they want in another founding principle of ‘Women’s Lives, Women’s Choices’ or ‘Women’s Choices, Women’s Lives’. Dr Soin added that AWARE will offer support to women who approach the organisation for assistance.
Corinna Lim rubbished the talk that the screening of the lesbian movie Spider Lilies showed that AWARE is single-focused and gay-oriented. Lim pointed out that AWARE had also participated in other movie screenings such as the wholesome local family film Singapore Dreaming.
Lim explained that film distributors have approached AWARE to tie-up for charity events and sees this as a good fundraising activity for AWARE. Terms and conditions vary requiring AWARE to sometimes purchase advance tickets or publicising the membership, with AWARE taking a small profit.
Dr Soin also explained there’s a need to address the issue of homosexuality in its sexual education programmes if the programmes are to be comprehensive: “AWARE cannot be an ostrich and buries it head and pretends that it [homosexuality] doesn’t exist. But we don’t go out with this programme and say it’s okay to be lesbian.”
Constance Singam said that the sexual education programmes were introduced in the context of the increasing number of teenage sex, pregnancies and abortions three to four years ago.
“AWARE is not a religious organisation. We do not impose religious values,” Singam said.
She added: “What we are offering are the facts. Kids need space for open discussion where they can get facts, examine themselves, and that is the purpose, objective.”
Dana Lam explained that the education programme had been developed over a period of time with pilot workshops conducted with parental knowledge and involvement. “And we have received good feedback,” she said. “The mention of homosexuality is so miniscule compared to the whole topic.”
Meanwhile, the veterans have also clarified its process for its selection of trainers. In the pre-selection process, candidates have to go through an interview and essay-writing round. After the training programme, the trainers have to go through examinations.
AWARE has so far provided its sexual education training programmes to 12 schools, some of which had approached AWARE to conduct the programmes. The veterans also clarified that the schools have full knowledge of the programmes with teachers having seen and vetted the them before they were given the go ahead. An opt-out form is also provided for those who do not feel comfortable participating in the programmes.
The old guards clarified that teachers and social workers have audited the programme and AWARE has its own auditing process and when necessary made modifications.
Dr Soin also defended her decision to allow associate male members in AWARE. “I realise we cannot change the world for women until we bring the men on board. So we have to work with men hand in hand to change society into a more equal, compassionate and inclusive society.”
The claim that the old guards’ AWARE was trying to get men into the organisation was “inaccurate”, they said. The issue of giving men voting rights first surfaced at the 2008 AGM. A motion was tabled for this purpose but it was defeated. However, it was brought up again at the AGM in March 2009 where the new exco was voted in. At this meeting, the “election took the bulk of the time” and the issue was not debated.
Meanwhile Dr Soin said while she knows who the founding members of AWARE were, she is unaware of any involvement of Dr Thio Su Mien.
“I’ve not heard of Dr Thio Su Mien as being a feminist, so this was a little bit of a surprise for me. But then, we always have closet feminists,” Dr Soin said to laughter from those present.
In her tenure as an NMP in 1995, Dr Soin tabled a Family Violence Bill as a Private Member’s Bill in parliament. The Bill would allow for the protection of victims against family violence and marital rape and police intervention. Although the bill fell through, the issue on family violence has gained public awareness and prominence. The Women’s Charter was later amended by the Singapore government in 1997 and adapted principles and concepts from the proposed Family Violence Bill which gave women more protection from violence.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Friday, April 24, 2009
Showdown at AWARE Office Over Lock Change by New Exco
ChannelNewsAsia ran this story on 23 April 2009:
Showdown at AWARE office over lock change by new exco
By Pearl Forss
SINGAPORE: It was a tense atmosphere at the AWARE office on Thursday evening as members of the old guard tried to prevent the new executive committee from changing the locks at the office.
The centre's manager, Schutz Lee, said she was not informed of the plans to change locks.
Ms Lee, who has been working there since February, was also fired without reason by the new executive committee at 8pm on Thursday.
Members of the old guard turned up hurriedly at the scene, anxious over the documents kept there.
Dana Lam, former AWARE president, said: "I walked in and there were three burly men sitting at the counter. It's not something we encounter at AWARE because it's a women's centre and we are giving counselling sessions to women who have been abused.
"The men have apparently been instructed by the president to change the lock in the centre. There is a vote of no-confidence going on here. By right, they have no right to make any changes. I am worried for my materials – 25 years of research material, including confidential material."
Showdown at AWARE office over lock change by new exco
By Pearl Forss
SINGAPORE: It was a tense atmosphere at the AWARE office on Thursday evening as members of the old guard tried to prevent the new executive committee from changing the locks at the office.
The centre's manager, Schutz Lee, said she was not informed of the plans to change locks.
Ms Lee, who has been working there since February, was also fired without reason by the new executive committee at 8pm on Thursday.
Members of the old guard turned up hurriedly at the scene, anxious over the documents kept there.
Dana Lam, former AWARE president, said: "I walked in and there were three burly men sitting at the counter. It's not something we encounter at AWARE because it's a women's centre and we are giving counselling sessions to women who have been abused.
"The men have apparently been instructed by the president to change the lock in the centre. There is a vote of no-confidence going on here. By right, they have no right to make any changes. I am worried for my materials – 25 years of research material, including confidential material."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Interview with AWARE new President Josie Lau
Thanks to the Singapore Enquirer for putting this ChannelNewsAsia interview with AWARE new President Josie Lau and new honorary treasurer Maureen Ong up on YouTube.
Part 1
part 2
Part 1
part 2
Friday, March 27, 2009
New Restrictions to Films Act Introduced Under the Guise of Liberalization
Filmmaker Martyn See has written an entry on his blog about the amendments to the Films Act bill @ singaporerebel.blogspot.com. Read his views on the blog and know that "You will soon not be allowed to whip out your camera to film an outdoor political activity. The proposed Public Order Act, to be passed into law next month, empowers the police to stop the filming, exhibition or distribution of videos depicting law enforcement activities." Something like this video by Martyn See.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Paradox of Choice
In his 2004 book 'The Paradox of Choice', Barry Schwartz tackles one of the great mysteries of modern life: Why is it that societies of great abundance — where individuals are offered more freedom and choice (personal, professional, material) than ever before — are now witnessing a near-epidemic of depression? Conventional wisdom tells us that greater choice is for the greater good, but Schwartz argues the opposite: He makes a compelling case that the abundance of choice in today’s western world is actually making us miserable.
This is a talk by psychologist Barry Schwartz who takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
This is a talk by psychologist Barry Schwartz who takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Making A Commitment 2009
As part of the U60 celebrations of the recent 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, MARUAH (Singapore Working Group on ASEAN HRM) held an event to emphasize the importance of Articles 23-25 of the UDHR, which deals with fair and just conditions for workers.
This event, Making A Commitment, was held on 13 December 2008 at Speakers’ Corner. Organized by MARUAH with support from partners such as Action for Aids, AWARE, Transient Workers Count Too, HOME and individuals, a number of speakers spoke up on the need for protection for vulnerable communities such as contract workers, the elderly, those with disabilities, migrant workers, persons living with HIV and people who are homosexuals or transgender.
Members of the public were invited to make pledge – a commitment – to affirm their stand which many did by holding up placards with a chosen slogan promoting a workplace issue. These were captured on video by volunteers, Mr Patrick Chng, Ms Stephanie Chok and Mr Joel Kang, as a New Year resolution for 2009 to treat all workers with dignity.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Count On Him PM Lee
The Singapore economy looks gloomy for 2009 but we should trust that our nation's leaders will know what to do. Like Dick Lee sang in this excellent performance, "Count on him PM Lee!"
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tak Boleh Tahan! Trial Day 1 Video
Watch this video (put up by Seelan Palay on YouTube) about the 18 Singaporean activists charged for protesting outside Parliament House in March this year aka the Tak Boleh Tahan! trial.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
MM Lee On "Assortative Mating"
Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew first brought this up in the early 1980s but it is possibly the first time he gave it a fancy name: "assortative mating".
According to Channel News Asia, LKY explained to the 700 delegates at the Human Capital Summit in Singapore yesterday that "assortative mating" means "finding a spouse that is at your level".
“That’s the way the world is. If I have explained this, I think I will lose votes after I explain the awful truth. Nobody believes it, but slowly it will dawn on them, especially the graduates, yes. You marry a non-graduate, then you are going to worry if your son or daughter is going to make it to the university,” added MM Lee.
Watch the MM Lee speech on Channel News Asia (thanks to Wayang Party for putting this up)
Also from the Wayang Party website, past reminders that LKY always held this belief (as evidenced by his past National Day rally speeches):
“If you don’t include your women graduates in your breeding pool and leave them on the shelf, you would end up a more stupid society… So what happens? There will be less bright people to support dumb people in the next generation. That’s a problem.” - 1983 National Day Rally speech
“We must encourage those who earn less than $200 per month and cannot afford to nurture and educate many children never to have more than two… We will regret the time lost if we do not now take the first tentative steps towards correcting a trend which can leave our society with a large number of the physically, intellectually and culturally anaemic“. - 1967 National Day Rally speech
After the then-Prime Minister's speech in 1983, the government set up the Social Development Unit (SDU) in 1984 to “promote marriage among graduate singles".
According to Channel News Asia, LKY explained to the 700 delegates at the Human Capital Summit in Singapore yesterday that "assortative mating" means "finding a spouse that is at your level".
“That’s the way the world is. If I have explained this, I think I will lose votes after I explain the awful truth. Nobody believes it, but slowly it will dawn on them, especially the graduates, yes. You marry a non-graduate, then you are going to worry if your son or daughter is going to make it to the university,” added MM Lee.
Watch the MM Lee speech on Channel News Asia (thanks to Wayang Party for putting this up)
Also from the Wayang Party website, past reminders that LKY always held this belief (as evidenced by his past National Day rally speeches):
“If you don’t include your women graduates in your breeding pool and leave them on the shelf, you would end up a more stupid society… So what happens? There will be less bright people to support dumb people in the next generation. That’s a problem.” - 1983 National Day Rally speech
“We must encourage those who earn less than $200 per month and cannot afford to nurture and educate many children never to have more than two… We will regret the time lost if we do not now take the first tentative steps towards correcting a trend which can leave our society with a large number of the physically, intellectually and culturally anaemic“. - 1967 National Day Rally speech
After the then-Prime Minister's speech in 1983, the government set up the Social Development Unit (SDU) in 1984 to “promote marriage among graduate singles".
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