Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 820 Sat. September 16, 2006  
   
Business


Over 160 NGOs boycott IMF-WB meetings


More than 160 non-governmental groups on Friday declared a boycott of IMF and World Bank meetings in Singapore to protest against a clampdown on free speech and the banning of activists.

"In solidarity with those denied entry into Singapore and denied the exercise of their fundemantal rights to freedom of expression and association, we will stay away from all meetings and seminars at the World Bank and IMF 2006 annual meetings in Singapore," the 164 organisations said in a statement.

"We call on all social movements, civil society organisations and networks and individuals to uphold the rights of peoples to freedom of expression and association, and to honour this boycott by staying away from the official meetings in Singapore."

The statement was issued on the sidelines of an International People's Forum Against the IMF and World Bank where about 500 people gathered Friday on the Indonesian island of Batam, about an hour by boat from Singapore.

Activists staged the forum on Batam after the Singapore government refused to waive a long-standing ban on outdoor protests for accredited groups during the September 19-20 International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings.

"In order to stifle dissent and any possible protests at the IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings, the Singapore government has resorted to draconian security measures," the statement said.

Singapore police said they have taken the tough security measures because the country, Southeast Asia's most advanced economy, is a high-profile "terrorist" target and any public protests would compromise preparations.

However, Singapore has agreed to reassess whether 27 activists accredited for the World Bank and IMF meetings should be admitted, World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz said.

But he said Singapore had inflicted "enormous damage" to its own reputation because of its reluctance to admit 27 activists accredited for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings.

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Campaigners wearing masks reading 'No Voice' stand yesterday inside a designated protest area of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting venue in Singapore. The protesters staged the demonstration to point out that poor countries have no voice in the WB and IMF. PHOTO: AFP