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Workfair Singapore seeks clarification on riot deportations

SINGAPORE — Civil society group Workfair Singapore has asked the Law Ministry to clarify why the Indian nationals who had their charges dropped for alleged rioting were eventually deported.

Riot in Little India on 8 Dec 2013. Photo by OOI BOON KEONG

Riot in Little India on 8 Dec 2013. Photo by OOI BOON KEONG

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SINGAPORE — Civil society group Workfair Singapore has asked the Law Ministry to clarify why the Indian nationals who had their charges dropped for alleged rioting were eventually deported.

On December 20, four more Indian nationals involved in the Little India riot were sent home.

This took the total number of workers deported over the December 8 incident to 57.

The police had said even though charges against the four were dropped, their involvement in the mayhem was deemed serious enough for repatriation.

Three other Indian nationals, who had charges against them dropped as well on December 17, were issued with advisories.

In a statement to the media yesterday (Dec 24), Workfair Singapore argued that if the workers were acquitted, then they must be innocent.

The group added that giving the men a warning also suggested they are not a security threat.

Therefore, Workfair Singapore said the workers do not meet the undesirable test in the Immigration Act Section 8.

The group noted that Section 33 of the Act allows for a ministerial appeal against deportation.

It asked the Law Ministry if an appeal can be applied in this case.

Workfair Singapore said that in deporting the workers, the Law Ministry claimed it took “firm and quick action” to avoid “additional social and security risks” caused by a “recurrence of an incident”.

However, the group said the Ministry has not made clear on what foundation these claims rest, since the seven were acquitted. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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