The TBT 18 trial is a rape of the Constitution of Singapore

18 individuals will face trial for a peaceful protest in March of this year outside Parliament House. The trial of the TBT (tak boleh tahan) 18 is scheduled to begin on 23 Oct 2008 at 9.30am in Court no.5 at the Subordinate Courts, till 7 Nov 2008.

This is the sub-section on Freedom of speech, assembly and association, under the fundamental liberties section, in the Constitution of Singapore,

Freedom of speech, assembly and association

14. —(1) Subject to clauses (2) and (3) —

(a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and

(c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations.

(2) Parliament may by law impose —

(a) on the rights conferred by clause (1) (a), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, friendly relations with other countries, public order or morality and restrictions designed to protect the privileges of Parliament or to provide against contempt of court, defamation or incitement to any offence;

(b) on the right conferred by clause (1) (b), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof or public order; and

(c) on the right conferred by clause (1) (c), such restrictions as it considers necessary or expedient in the interest of the security of Singapore or any part thereof, public order or morality.

(3) Restrictions on the right to form associations conferred by clause (1) (c) may also be imposed by any law relating to labour or education.

These 18 individuals were only exercising their constitutional rights. And they were doing it peacefully. But that doesn't matter one bit when Parliament is dominated by the ruling party; the above section starts with subject to clauses; and the beginning of the end starts with Parliament may by law impose. Its not hard to see the rape of the constitution when it comes to situations like the one the TBT 18 are facing.

Sadly, its instances like these over the years that give credence to the saying that the Constitution is not worth the paper its written on.