Singapore bans 2 Pinoy activists from IMF-WB meet

Singapore has reportedly banned two Filipino activists from attending the meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) scheduled there this week.

Prof. Walden Bello, executive director of Focus on the Global South, and Ana Maria Nemenzo, president of Freedom from Debt Coalition, were reportedly among 18 individuals from other countries barred by the Singaporean government from attending the meetings.

Bello and Nemenzo’s groups are critical of the IMF and the World Bank, which hold week-long meetings beginning Sept. 14.

Lidy Nacpil, international coordinator of the International People’s Forum (IPF) against IMF-WB, said Singapore’s attempt to bar protests during the meet infringed on the right to free speech and peaceful assembly.

"The named organizations and individuals received accreditation from the WB and IMF early in the process. Others who were notified of their accreditation just recently may also suffer the same fate," Nacpil noted.

"We believe that they keep a short list and a long list of those who were banned. We fear that some of those who were banned would know that they could not attend the annual meetings when they arrive in Singapore," she added.

Nacpil said they will raise the issue before the United Nations Human Rights Council. "We want the Singaporean authorities to recognize that their action is wrong and is violating the people’s right to freedom of speech."

Bello asserted that Singapore is short-circuiting the debates on the issues that will be discussed by barring protests.

"Amidst the image of a successful tiger, Singapore shows its dirty side, a dark side people should know about. The authoritarian government of Singapore is treating its people like children," he said.

Nemenzo said the ban was "most vexing, if not ridiculous."

"Rather than eliminate them, the ban in fact will invite more protests. The Singapore authorities should save itself from further embarrassment," she said.

There was no immediate comment from the Singaporean embassy in Manila.