NGOs boycott IMF-World Bank meetings

BATAM (Indonesia): More than 160 non-governmental groups on Friday declared a boycott of International Monetary Fund 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 expression, we will stay away from meetings and seminars in Singapore," the organisations said in a statement.

"We call on all social movements, civil society organisations and networks and individuals to uphold rights of peoples to freedom of expression and association, and to honour this boycott by staying away from 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 on Friday on the Indonesian island of Batam.

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 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.