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The National Parks Board wrote to the events' organizer, Alex Au, to say the activities were not permitted by authorities, Au said. "We do not want it to be used as a venue for interest groups to politicize their cause," a board spokesman said in an e-mailed response to questions. Au said the events were intended as social gatherings to commemorate the city-state's National Day, which falls on Thursday. "They automatically assume that anything gay is a political challenge to them. It speaks volumes about the political climate in Singapore," said Au.

The prohibition follows bans last week on a gay rights forum and an exhibition of photographs depicting same-sex kissing. The curbs have come amid a debate in the modern, conservative city-state on whether gay sex should be decriminalized. Under Singapore law, gay sex is deemed "an act of gross indecency," punishable by a maximum of two years in jail. Authorities have banned gay festivals and censored gay films. Despite the official ban on gay sex, there have been few prosecutions. (AP)

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Tuesday, August 07, 2007

British MPs Call for Release of Detained Burmese MPs

More than 50 British MPs have joined forces to call for the release of 12 detained Burmese MPs. The British MPs have signed an "Early Day Motion"—a parliamentary petition—that was put down by Chris McCafferty, MP. They draw particular attention to Hkun Htun Oo, an MP from the Shan National League for Democracy, who is reported to be unwell and denied proper medical treatment. The MPs are demanding that the UN special envoy to Burma and the British government step up efforts to release these MPs, and all political prisoners in Burma. "As a former political prisoner, I am very pleased to see so many British MPs supporting our colleagues still suffering in prison," said Myo Thein, a campaigns officer of the London-based lobby group Burma Campaign UK.

Vietnamese Officials Jailed for Gambling, Bribery

A Vietnamese judge sentenced two government officials and six others to up to 13 years in jail Tuesday in a major gambling and bribery scandal that led to the resignation of the transport minister and detention of his deputy. Bui Tien Dung, former director of a Ministry of Transport infrastructure project management unit known as PMU18, was convicted of gambling and bribery and sentenced to 13 years in prison after a four-day trial, presiding Judge Ngo Thi Yen said. Seven others, including former government officials and police officers, received jail terms of between three and seven years for gambling or bribery or both, she said. Another defendant was given a two-year suspended sentence for gambling. All gambling is illegal in Vietnam. (AP)

Activists Urge China, India, Russia to Cut Support for Burma's Junta

Dozens of Burmese activists rallied in Malaysia on Tuesday, urging China, India and Russia to cut support for the military-ruled country until democracy is restored. Some 100 protesters, wearing red bandanas and armbands, carried banners that read: "We want peace and justice in Myanmar" and "No military junta" as they demonstrated outside the Chinese Embassy under the watch of anti-riot police. The activists later marched to the nearby Russian Embassy to continue their protest, marking the 19th anniversary of the junta's crushing of a pro-democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi and seizure of power on August 8, 1988. The group also urged China and Russia not to use their veto privilege to block UN Security Council measures that seek to keep a spotlight on the junta's abuses. The two countries in January objected to a US proposal to put Myanmar on the agenda of the Security Council, which would allow the actions of the military junta to be discussed formally. (AP)

Thai Protest Leaders Released on Bail

Six leaders of an anti-government protest that turned violent and resulted in hundreds of injuries were released on bail Monday. Nine suspects from the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship were detained on July 26 after they appeared in court to hear police allegations against them, including illegal assembly, damaging state property and injuring officials. The court released six leaders on bail on condition that they would not participate in activities that cause strife within society or instigate more violence, said police Lt-Col Jutti Thammatovanij. Three other leaders were released on bail earlier last week.

Violence broke out on July 22 at a rally by several thousand people outside the home of former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda—the chief adviser to the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.