This afternoon and evening I have put in a number of hours working on the case of Dr. Chee Soon Juan to prepare for the events of next week (read more here and here). I’ve been doing a lot of reading, and making many calls to various contacts, and I’ve discovered that many in Singapore believe that this man’s tireless and heroic efforts somehow impairs the image of the country. There are some who express open distaste in what he is doing based on the “cultural relativism” argument, and others who are openly afraid to be involved in any way in his defense. Both arguments I have encountered before in other contexts and in other countries. I can only say that respect for opposing views is not the property of any one single culture. Further, what the present global financial crisis shows us is that there is an overwhelming social interest in transparency at all levels of both governments and business. Our interest in this case, I would like to emphasize, is generated by Dr. Chee’s proper and legitimate interest in bringing authority to account and building a stronger future for the country. In my series of discussions with this gentleman, I have heard him raise questions of leadership, but have never heard him utter a disrespectful word. I marvel at his restraint and the constructive attitude he has exhibited throughout personal bankruptcy and multiple wrongful incarcerations. After the cut, I share an excerpt from a July 2008 report from the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute entitled “Prosperity and Individual Rights? Human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Singapore.” The report, which confirms the institutional culture of fear which has prevented Dr. Chee from obtaining legal counsel, explains the background of his case, and states: “It certainly appears that Dr Chee has been made a target by the Singapore Government, and that their criticism of him has gone far beyond a reasonable standard.”