Singapore Denies Activists Entry for World Bank, IMF Meeting

[WhiteTara]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-09-13-voa65.cfm

The government of Singapore has banned 28 foreign activists from entering the country for a joint World Bank-International Monetary Fund meeting next week, despite the fact the activists have invitations to attend.

World Bank presidsnipent Paul Wolfowitz has protested the ban, as has the European Union.

Protester is blindfolded to dramatize alleged suppression of rights after activists were banned from Indonesia and Singapore during a rally in front of Indonesian embassy, Sept. 13, 2006 in Manila's financial district of Makati
Those who will not be admitted include representatives from the World Development Movement in Britain, Thailand's Focus on the Global South, the Freedom from Debt Coalition in the Philippines and the Forum on Indonesian Development.

Singapore police have also restricted activities by delegates to the meeting and several preliminary events, and have set tough restrictions on demonstrations.
snip
Singapore is allowing about 700 activists from more than 70 organizations worldwide to gather at a specially designated zone in the convention center where the meeting will take place.

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