Fight for freedoms continue

The phrase “Freedom is not free” is usually attributed to U.S. Air Force Colonel Walter Hitchcock, who was referring to the sacrifices members of the military make in defense of nations. Yet even in countries that are not in wars, people are fighting for freedoms that are supposed to be among their rights. In East and Southeast Asia, for example, the political histories of several countries show that freedoms must be actively fought for, protected, and promoted.

At the 7th Asia Centre International Conference on Freedom of Expression held on 24-26 August in Bangkok, Thailand, CALD organized a panel that focused in particular on rights activists and members of the political opposition in Cambodia, Singapore, and Taiwan who became targets of authorities just because they were vocal about their criticisms of those in power. Moderated by CALD Executive Director Celito Arlegue, the panel was one of 16 in the conference. It attracted around 100 in-person participants, while dozens more joined via Zoom.

The plight of detained Cambodian American lawyer-activist Theary Seng was among those highlighted during the panel. Theary Seng was recently convicted of “conspiracy to commit treason” and “incitement to create gross chaos impacting public security.” Her conviction came after a sham trial where the factual bases of the charges against her were not even presented. Her case also reflects the plight of the dominant political opposition, whose leaders are “in exile, in prison, or waiting to go to prison.”

The Online Citizen (TOC) publisher and editor Terry Xu meanwhile recounted his multiple run-ins with the Singaporean government over some content posted on his online media platform. In 2019, Xu was sued by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for defamation for an article on the Singaporean leader’s family. More recently, Xu was imprisoned over TOC’s publication of a 2018 letter that was alleged to have criminally defamed the Singaporean Cabinet. Xu is now in self-imposed exile in Taiwan to escape political persecution in his home country.

Pei-fen Hsieh, spokesperson of the Democratic Progressive Party, ended the panel by presenting Taiwan’s long and arduous journey to achieve the freedoms that it is enjoying today, including freedom of expression. “Freedom is never free,” Hsieh said. This also served as an apt reminder to the other participants not to be complacent when it comes to safeguarding democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.