“It has been said that this attack comes amidst a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia,” wrote Mr Shanmugam, noting that the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said in a report released earlier this month that antisemitic incidents remain at “unprecedentedly high levels”.
“I don’t know the precise causes and reasons for the attack in Australia.
“But on many other occasions, hate speech has often been one underlying cause - it creates an environment more prone to violence.
“And thus we have taken the position in Singapore, that we will not allow hate speech (and other conduct) targeted at any group,” he said.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also the home affairs minister, said Singapore has put in place tough laws on hate speech and conduct inciting violence or hatred.
“History shows us - through many incidents linked to race and religion - that hate speech has real and serious consequences.
“Hate speech denigrates one group. It suggests that the identified group is the source of problems. It dehumanises the group, eventually making violence against them justified,” he said.
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“I don’t know the precise causes and reasons for the attack in Australia.
“But on many other occasions, hate speech has often been one underlying cause - it creates an environment more prone to violence.
“And thus we have taken the position in Singapore, that we will not allow hate speech (and other conduct) targeted at any group,” he said.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also the home affairs minister, said Singapore has put in place tough laws on hate speech and conduct inciting violence or hatred.
“History shows us - through many incidents linked to race and religion - that hate speech has real and serious consequences.
“Hate speech denigrates one group. It suggests that the identified group is the source of problems. It dehumanises the group, eventually making violence against them justified,” he said.
Continue reading...