The Singapore legal system is unreasonable and unfair, says respected human rights lawyer Theresa Chu, after witnessing the latest court hearing into the Falun Gong case, in which the accused are charged with "harassing" the Chinese regime.
Following the September 26 hearing at the Singapore Subordinate Court, the judge has given the two accused Falun Gong practitioners 24 hours to find a replacement lawyer or be forced to represent themselves, citing inadequate proof that their counsel is sick and unable to appear in court.
Mr. Ravi, counsel for the defense, was taken to the Adam Road Hospital on September 20. The official statement from the hospital concluded he was "unfit to attend court." The judge said that the document lacked a diagnosis of Mr. Ravi's condition and insisted that more proof be provided.
The detail of Mr. Ravi's illness can only be released to close family members or colleagues and not to his clients.
"We know that Mr. Ravi, the lawyer, is sick–which is totally beyond the control of the applicants. But the subordinate court did not take the proof, which was officially submitted by the hospital," said Ms. Chu, Director of the legal watchdog International Justice Organization, who traveled to Singapore to ensure that a fair trial is given.
However, following the hearing, Ms. Chu raised serious concerns about Singapore's judicial system.
"[The court] wants to force the accused practitioners, who have no legal expertise, to defend themselves. They are given only one day to find a new lawyer, which is definitely unfair and unreasonable," she said.
"I have many doubts about the fairness [of the trial]" she concluded, saying that even in Hong Kong Falun Gong has more freedom that in Singapore.
The two Falun Gong practitioners have been accused of "harassing" the Chinese regime by displaying a banner calling for the end of the group's persecution in China. The words on the banner and their presence at the Chinese Embassy in Singapore was said to be "insulting".
Meanwhile, one of the accused, Mrs. Ng Chye Huyey, says the claims are "ridiculous."
"You go to China, [where] the organ harvesting [from living Falun Gong practitioners is taking place], such cruelty… everyone knows. And we protest in front of embassy, we are persecuted, we are charged," she said in an interview.
The trial of Mr. Erh Boon Tiong and Mrs. Ng Chye Huey began in July, but was postponed to September after the court demanded proof that the persecution of Falun Gong is indeed occurring in China. The Court claimed that the U.N. report, detailing widespread abuse of the group's adherents, was insufficient as evidence and requested that a U.N. representative be present as witness.
The proceedings are now again delayed until the court is satisfied with the medical conclusion on Mr. Ravi's status.
Singapore is the only country outside of China where Falun Gong practitioners have been persecuted and summoned to court. Ms. Chu believes that the judicial system in Singapore is discriminatory towards Falun Gong. No other religious groups have been charged with a criminal offence or restricted in their activities, she says.
Ms. Chu, together with the accused Falun Gong practitioners, have called upon all NGOs and human rights groups to watch this case closely, urging more international attention.
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