Singapore court acquits women for pro-Palestinian walk

A court in Singapore has acquitted three women who staged a march to the President’s office to show support for the Palestinian cause.

Action was taken against women for taking out illegal processions. But the judge ruled that his actions did not meet the full charges.

One woman told the BBC she thought the unexpected acquittal would “give new energy and hope” to activists in Singapore.

Public demonstrations are unusual in Singapore, which has very strict rules against protests and requires a police permit for any gathering to promote a cause. Authorities have also effectively banned public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war.

Any permit application for Public meetings related to the Israel-Gaza war As war is a sensitive subject, it will be ruled out “due to the real danger of public disorder caused by such incidents,” officials said.

Singapore’s government has argued that the demonstration rules are necessary to maintain peace and harmony in the small country. Critics say the rules stifle freedom of expression and civic activism.

The latest case centers on an event organized in February 2024 by community organizer Mosamamad Society Nahar and content creator Siti Amirah Mohammad Asrori. He was assisted by community organizer Kokila Annamalai.

About 70 people showed up to walk from a shopping mall known as Istana to the presidential office.

Pictures of the event posted online showed participants carrying umbrellas painted like watermelons, a symbol associated with the Palestinian cause.

Prosecutors later charged the three women with taking out a procession without permission in a restricted area.

During their trial, the defense argued that the women did not know that their path along the perimeter of the Istana was a restricted area as they traveled on public roads.

The judge ruled that the women had indeed marched, but had “no idea that the use of that route would be unlawful or prohibited”.

He noted that he had used a public footpath and there were no signs indicating that it was a restricted area.

“It is clear from the evidence that all three are trying their best not to run afoul of the law,” he said.

If they had been convicted, each woman could have been fined up to S$10,000 (£5,760; US$7,705) or jailed for up to six months, or both.

The case in Singapore drew attention. Photos of the three women appearing in court dressed in the colors of the Palestinian flag and keffiyeh scarves went viral online.

Ms Annamalai told the BBC the women chose their outfits deliberately to send a message and “show our defiance and solidarity”.

Including activists who have been convicted of organizing illegal public meetings in the past – Even if it was only one person present – Some expected women to gain faith.

Local media reported on Tuesday that there was a “loud gasp” as the verdict was read out in a courtroom packed with women’s supporters.

Ms Annamalai said she was “fully prepared to be found guilty” and was “surprised” by his acquittal.

“But it’s also difficult to feel celebratory because we wouldn’t have been charged in the first place,” she added.

She said his acquittal could “provide new energy and hope” for the civil rights movement and supporters of Palestine in Singapore as there is a “long fight ahead”. “The community needs a win,” she said.

In a statement to the BBC, Singapore’s public prosecutor’s office said it would file an appeal.

Police have launched an investigation into other offline and online incidents related to the Israel-Gaza war.

A group of students from a local university was the latest in January Organized a memorial event for Palestinian students Opposite one of the buildings is a research center run by an Israeli university. Six people have been questioned.

The Government of Singapore has consistently supported the two-state solution of Israel and Palestine and has supported Palestine’s membership in the United Nations.

In September, Singapore’s foreign minister said it would recognize a Palestinian state “when there is an effective government that accepts Israel’s right to exist and clearly renounces terrorism”.