The Singapore High Court overturned the previous judgment and fined three women 3,000 Singapore dollars each, roughly 76,500 baht, for organizing an unauthorized pro-Palestine march near the presidential residence amid debates over freedom of assembly.
The High Court ruled in favor of the prosecution's appeal, reversing the earlier decision and finding the three women guilty of organizing an unauthorized pro-Palestine march, imposing fines of 3,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 76,500 baht) each.
On 2 February 2024, Ms. Mosammad Sobikun Nahar, 26, Ms. Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 31, and Ms. Annamalai Gokila Parvathi, 37, joined about 70 protesters walking from Plaza Singapura shopping mall to the rear gate of The Istana, the presidential residence and the Prime Minister's office.
The march aimed to deliver a letter urging the Singapore government to end relations with Israel by placing it in the Prime Minister's mailbox. Footage showed participants holding umbrellas with watermelon patterns, an international symbol supporting Palestine.
Previously, the lower court acquitted the three women in October, with the district judge ruling that they were unaware the route was a restricted area under the Public Order Act.
However, High Court Judge See Kee Oon agreed with the prosecution that the earlier ruling contained legal errors, stating that organizers should have sought information and verified restrictions before proceeding. A reasonable check would have revealed the area was banned for assemblies. He noted Singapore's strict regulations on public gatherings to maintain peace and harmony, particularly regarding the Israeli-Gaza conflict, for which most protests are prohibited.
After the ruling, Ms. Gokila, one of the defendants, said, "The struggle for democracy in Singapore is long, and civil disobedience is a key part of progress. We should have the right to walk to the Prime Minister’s office to deliver letters from the people."
Under Singapore law, organizing a march in a restricted area carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment, a fine up to 10,000 Singapore dollars, or both. In this case, the prosecution did not seek imprisonment, and the court deemed a fine appropriate, as requested by the defense lawyers.