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Singapore branded 'authoritarian' Singapore shift on IMF activists
(about 7 hours later)
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz has described Singapore's restrictions on activists for meetings of the Bank and IMF as "authoritarian". Singapore has announced it will allow the entry of 22 out of 27 activists who had been banned from the country ahead of the IMF meeting next week.
He said the decision to ban the entry of 27 accredited activists violated a previous agreement with Singapore. The move follows criticism from World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who described Singapore's restrictions on activists as "authoritarian".
Other activists have been deported ahead of the next week's meetings, which begin on 19 September. He said the decision to ban accredited activists ahead of the 19 September meeting violated a previous agreement.
Mr Wolfowitz's comments add further fuel to the row between the two sides on how to deal with activists. The issue had led to growing tension between the two sides.
The bank and IMF argue the presence of pressure groups is key to improving the work of financial institutions. Both the World Bank and the IMF had argued the presence of pressure groups was key to improving the work of financial institutions.
But Singapore says it has banned the group of 27 because all had taken part in disruptive protests in other nations and posed a threat to law and order. But Singapore said the ban was because the 27 activists had taken part in disruptive protests in other nations and posed a threat to law and order.
'Self-inflicted' Officials said that the decision to allow in the 22 activists had been made after input from the World Bank and the IMF.
Mr Wolfowitz said Singapore's move had harmed its image. But five members of the group still faced restrictions. If they tried to enter Singapore, they "would be subject to interview and may not be allowed in", a statement from the organising committee said.
'Damage'
Earlier in the day, Mr Wolfowitz said Singapore's stance on the issue had harmed its image.
"Enormous damage has been done and a lot of that damage is done to Singapore and self-inflicted," he told a meeting in Singapore."Enormous damage has been done and a lot of that damage is done to Singapore and self-inflicted," he told a meeting in Singapore.
"I would argue whether it has to be as authoritarian as it has been and I would certainly argue that ... they would do much better for themselves with a more visionary approach to the process," he said. "I would argue whether it has to be as authoritarian as it has been," he said, adding that he had raised the issue with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
IMF Managing Director Rodrigo Rato echoed his comments.
"We have urged the Singapore authorities to reconsider their position and I hope they will," he said.
"The people who have been accredited by us are people who work with us regularly and we don't have any doubt about their capacity to behave and to be respectful of the country's laws."
Mr Wolfowitz said he had raised the issue with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
'No Voice'
Singapore had banned public protests for the duration of the IMF and World Bank meetings amid concerns they could lead to violence and damage to property.Singapore had banned public protests for the duration of the IMF and World Bank meetings amid concerns they could lead to violence and damage to property.
A small area has now been set aside for designated protestsA small area has now been set aside for designated protests
Following the ban, pressure groups and non-governmental organisations decided they would demonstrate on Batam Island instead - an Indonesian island located close to Singapore.Following the ban, pressure groups and non-governmental organisations decided they would demonstrate on Batam Island instead - an Indonesian island located close to Singapore.
Singapore has set aside an indoor area where activists can gather to express their views, but it is only an eight metre by eight metre square. Singapore has now set aside an indoor area where activists can gather to express their views, but it is only an eight metre by eight metre square.
Around two dozen activists held a protest in the area, wearing gags saying "No Voice".Around two dozen activists held a protest in the area, wearing gags saying "No Voice".
"These limits are ridiculous," Reuters news agency quoted Haidy Ear-Dupuy of NGO Forum on Cambodia as saying. "Singapore is a developed country; it needs a developed perspective on citizens speaking up.""These limits are ridiculous," Reuters news agency quoted Haidy Ear-Dupuy of NGO Forum on Cambodia as saying. "Singapore is a developed country; it needs a developed perspective on citizens speaking up."