A Singaporean court has acquitted three women who organised a pro-Palestinian walk to the presidential office, clearing their names in a high-profile case that highlights the country's strict laws governing public demonstrations. The women, Kokila Annamalai, Mossammad Sobikun Nahar and Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, were charged with organising an illegal procession without a permit, but Judge Tan Lee Mien ruled that they had not known their route on the perimeter of Istana was in a prohibited area.
The trial drew attention online, with pictures of the women dressed in clothing in the colors of the Palestinian flag and keffiyeh scarves for their court appearances going viral. The prosecution had presented evidence showing that the procession was held without a permit, but the judge found that the three women did not intentionally break the law.
The acquittal comes as a surprise to many, with some having expected the women to receive convictions given the country's strict laws on public demonstrations. However, their supporters see it as a victory for free speech and civil activism in Singapore.
The trial is part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests in Singapore, which has banned public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war due to concerns about public disorder. The government has consistently supported the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, but critics argue that these laws stifle freedom of expression.
The acquittal of Kokila Annamalai and her co-defendants is seen as a significant blow to authorities' efforts to suppress dissent in Singapore. It also highlights the growing activism around issues related to Palestine and human rights in the country.
In a statement, the prosecution said they would file an appeal against the verdict. However, many activists see it as a chance for them to regroup and continue their fight for civil rights and freedom of expression in Singapore.
The trial drew attention online, with pictures of the women dressed in clothing in the colors of the Palestinian flag and keffiyeh scarves for their court appearances going viral. The prosecution had presented evidence showing that the procession was held without a permit, but the judge found that the three women did not intentionally break the law.
The acquittal comes as a surprise to many, with some having expected the women to receive convictions given the country's strict laws on public demonstrations. However, their supporters see it as a victory for free speech and civil activism in Singapore.
The trial is part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests in Singapore, which has banned public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war due to concerns about public disorder. The government has consistently supported the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, but critics argue that these laws stifle freedom of expression.
The acquittal of Kokila Annamalai and her co-defendants is seen as a significant blow to authorities' efforts to suppress dissent in Singapore. It also highlights the growing activism around issues related to Palestine and human rights in the country.
In a statement, the prosecution said they would file an appeal against the verdict. However, many activists see it as a chance for them to regroup and continue their fight for civil rights and freedom of expression in Singapore.
this is crazy, i mean, who gets charged with organising a peaceful walk? 
in singapore, apparently you need permission just to express yourself! 
it's like they're trying to squash dissent before it even happens. 
the fact that these women were acquitted because they didn't know about the forbidden route is pretty lame if you ask me. 
shouldn't we be teaching people how to navigate the law, not trying to silence them? 
anyway, this just goes to show that singapore's laws are way too strict when it comes to free speech. 
can't wait to see what happens next 
think about all those protests and demos that have been banned or shut down over the years, now its more than likely that we'll see more of these kinds of movements popping up again 
It's not exactly a secret that Istana has strict rules about public gatherings. They're basically saying that even if they didn't break any laws intentionally, their actions were still reckless. And honestly, who wouldn't know that? 
It's definitely lit up the online debate about free speech and civil activism in Singapore. Can we even say whether they're being too careful or too reckless? 
. The real winners here are the pro-Palestinian groups that will just regroup and try again, wasting everyone's time 
. And good luck with the appeal, prosecution 
. You'll never win against an army of activists with more spirit than sense 
.
the fact that there's been a crackdown on pro-palestinian protests in singapore is super concerning though. i hope this acquittal inspires more people to keep speaking out against laws that stifle freedom of expression. 
It's like, the three women just wanted to show their support for Palestine and express themselves. They didn't mean any harm. And now that they've been acquitted, it's kinda like... yeah! 
. And yeah, the government's ban on pro-Palestinian protests is pretty concerning 
.
. Can't wait to see how the appeal plays out 
3 women who were trying to protest for palestine got acquitted because the judge said they didnt know their route was restricted 
. It's crazy how strict the laws are here when it comes to public demonstrations, and it's kinda shocking that they actually got off scot-free 
.
, and yet some countries are really clamping down on it 
. So even though I'm all for people having their voices heard, I also think the government's got to find a balance between keeping everyone safe and allowing people to express themselves without getting in trouble 
but at least this verdict shows that they cant just silence ppl like these women 
can't wait to see what happens next 
It shows that the law isn't just about following rules, but also about speaking out for what you believe in. I mean, I get it that Singapore's laws can be strict, but come on, freedom of expression is important too! 
meanwhile, i hope they get to regroup and keep fighting for change 
can't wait to see how the prosecution appeals, but tbh i think this verdict is a major win for free speech & civil activism in singapore 
. The fact that these girls can still keep organizing and fighting for what's right is a major win in my book 
It's like, we gotta remember that freedom of speech is super important, you know? 
These girls were just trying to make a point about Palestine and stand up for what they believe in, even if it meant breaking the rules. 
it's crazy how strict the laws are here, but at the same time, it's awesome that the court saw things from their perspective too 
I mean, who wouldn't want to stand up for what they believe in?