In a case closely watched by universities, Singapore’s High Court found the British author Alan Shadrake in contempt of court on Wednesday for statements he made in his book about the Singapore judiciary, reports The Wall Street Journal. In Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, Mr. Shadrake raised questions about the city-state’s death penalty. The case has been cited as a concern by Yale University, which is developing plans to create a liberal-arts college in Singapore. In a prospectus from September outlining the institution’s plans, Richard Levin, Yale’s president, and Peter Salovey, its provost, write that they were “greatly concerned” when Mr. Shadrake was arrested this summer. They go on to say that Singapore officials assuaged their worries by promising to include a statement upholding academic freedom at the proposed college in any final agreement. According to the Journal, Mr. Shadrake is scheduled to be sentenced November 9. He faces three to six months jail and an unspecified fine, the newspaper says.
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4 Responses to Singapore Court Convicts British Author of Contempt
rbirnbau - November 3, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Unless Yale is certain that Singapore defines academic freedom the same way we do, relying on an ‘academic freedom’ clause as part of a contractual agreement is not nearly enough. If Yale is serious, why doesn’t it say that unless Mr. Shadrake is set free without penalty it will not establish a college in Singapore.
greeneyeshader107 - November 3, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Here Singapore goes again. Somehow I’m reminded of the witness asked by a congressional committee chairman (on one of the Red-hunting investigations, I think), “Are you trying to show your contempt for this committee?” “On the contrary,” the witness said, “I’m trying to conceal it.”
vatican - November 3, 2010 at 8:14 pm
This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. The US still has the death penalty in some states. So what Yale has a problem with is not just the death penalty itself. What Alan Shadrake has a problem with is not just the death penalty either. This is a political stunt by Yale and Shadrake to discredit the Singaporean justice system and educational system.
First, Singapore doesn’t need Yale. I propose that readers look at the faculty websites of the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and the Singapore Management University. Tell me if Singapore really needs Yale.
Now back to the issue. You might want to read what BBC has to say: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11681302 When a serious accusation about the justice system is made against another country, you’ve got to produce the evidence to support your claim. Free speech comes with immense responsibility and not recklessness. Otherwise, it’s like Bush trying to sell the war plan. Where exactly are the weapons of mass destruction? Sure, Singapore has a different way of dealing with this issue. Would it be ok then for me to suggest that the American justice system is corrupt because it jails more Blacks? What about Guantanamo? Oh wait, that’s not American territory. So I guess it’s ok to torture prisoners. Torture in Iraq and getting away with it? Oh wait, that’s not American territory, so I guess it’s ok.
raymond_j_ritchie - November 4, 2010 at 6:00 am
People like Shadrake should know that you never say anything rude about Singapore and then be silly enough to step foot in the country.
I once tried to be helpful to a gum-chewing yank when he was about to step off the plane in Singapore. I warned him to get rid of his chewing gum immediately or he would find himself in Changi prison for a while. He mumbled something to the effect that he had a constitutional right to chew his gum. He just did not understand. I gave up.