Johan Skarendal: I'm here to observe, not intervene

Internet forums abuzz with Swedish activist's meeting with local human rights group. He says:
I'm here to observe, not intervene
WHY was he in Singapore?
By Liew Hanqing
30 May 2009

WHY was he in Singapore?

What was the rationale for his meeting with a local human rights organisation here? Is his organisation funding this, or any other, group here?

These questions are just some that have been bandied about since Mr Johan Skarendal, 29, visited Singapore last month.

Mr Skarendal is a member of the Swedish International Liberal Centre (SILC), a foundation which claims to assist democracy development.

Some Singaporeans he met with during his recent visit are members of a local human rights organisation called Maruah (Malay for dignity).

Maruah's members include former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Braema Mathi, NMP Siew Kum Hong, lawyer Peter Low, academic Cherian George, Dr Stuart Koe, founder of gay media company Fridae, and Mr Leong Sze Hian, president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals.

Online speculation on the meeting's agenda has been rife, with netizens questioning whether the foundation has been funding Maruah's activities.

Mr Skarendal did not answer The New Paper's questions on whether SILC is currently funding the work of any Singaporean individuals or organisations, but stressed that the topic of funding was not broached during the recent meeting.

Ms Mathi, Maruah's chairman, added that it is common for human rights advocates to meet with 'like-minded' people from other countries, whether in Singapore or overseas.

She clarified that Maruah does not currently receive any external funding.

'We are paying for everything out of our own pockets,' she said.

Mr Skarendal described his latest visit as a 'fact-finding' visit.

'I was mostly interested in the work and backgrounds of the people involved - I wanted to learn about how prominent Singaporeans involved in civil society viewed the human rights issues in Singapore,' he said.

'Funding not discussed'

None of the Maruah members present at the meeting raised the subject of funding, Mr Skarendal said.

He said: 'I went to Singapore on behalf of SILC to learn from and observe Singaporean civil society, not to intervene.'

Confirming he met with Mr Skarendal last month, Mr Leong Sze Hian, who attended as a representative of Maruah, said Mr Skarendal asked questions pertaining to Maruah's work here.

Said Mr Leong: 'He asked about the work that Maruah does - what activities are being planned, and so on.'

One of the upcoming events Maruah has planned is a peace vigil for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi on 31 May at Hong Lim Park.

Ms Mathi said such events are completely paid for by Maruah members.

The group does not incur any day-to-day operating costs.

She said: 'When we started Maruah, we set ourselves some ground rules - to be as transparent as possible, to post our accounts - if any - online, not to break any Singapore law, and not to have any members with political party affiliations.'

The group is currently funded solely by its members.

Ms Mathi said, however, that the group would eventually have to seek funding from external sources as it grows, and that Maruah would likely first seek local sources of funding.

She added that she is disappointed with the recent spate of online allegations against the group's members.

She said: 'The allegations are misleading and mischief-laden, and belittle the hard work of civil society.'

The recent visit was not Mr Skarendal's first time to Singapore.

In 2003, Swedish foundations, comprising SILC, the Olof Palme Centre, and the Jarl Hjarlmarson Foundation co-sponsored an international youth conference in Singapore where young Swedish parliamentarians and youth leaders met with young Singaporeans to discuss democracy.

The same year, Mr Skarendal met with Singapore Democratic Party secretary-general Chee Soon Juan for the first time when DrChee visited Sweden.

Said Mr Skarendal: 'We have become good friends ever since. In fact, he had written my testimonial when I had applied to do my Masters degree at the Taiwanese National Chengchi University in 2006.'

What's Maruah

MARUAH, the Singapore Working Committee for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism, was formed in September 2007.

The group, which aims to raise awareness of human rights, was formed after Asean leaders decided in July 2007 to include a provision for a human rights body in the Asean Charter.

Maruah's members include students, academics, activists, lawyers, doctors and writers.

The group has organised various events for several causes, including a gathering appealing for fair working conditions for workers, a public lecture on human rights in Asean, and an upcoming peace vigil for Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom.

The group's immediate task is to transition from being an interim committee to a full-fledged national working group, and to eventually establish a Singapore presence at regional discussions.

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