We have just received a copy of an open letter from Amnesty International Canada to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in advance of his upcoming trip to the forthcoming APEC meeting in Singapore, followed by a visit to India. The letter urges Prime Minister Harper to uphold Canada’s well-known reputation as a staunch human rights supporter by raising concerns with and presenting recommendations to Singapore authorities regarding the case of Dr. Chee Soon Juan and other civil society representatives and to address ongoing human rights challenges in India. Below is an excerpt from the letter, followed by a link that will allow you access to the letter in full.

Singapore has two realities: its appearance as a progressive country with regular elections and economic success; and its record of human rights violations designed to maintain the political status quo of the People’s Action Party (PAP) during its virtual one-party rule over the past half-century. Lee Kuan Yew, now Minister Mentor, has led Singapore in a number of government positions since independence in 1959. Amnesty International’s concerns are: the misuse of the law to punish critics, who face ruinous defamation and other suits; and the shockingly high per capita rate of executions – possibly highest in the world – often after unfair trials.