?????? Does Singapore want to become a truly free country?

Singapore?is one of the?freest,?safest?and?most prosperous?economies in the world. In many aspects it is a true role model that we at?VisualPolitik?love. However, at the political level things are somewhat different: its?strict legislation?and its?deficient democratic structure?are the ugliest and most autocratic aspects of the country, but fortunately, little by little the country is taking steps forward.

For example, one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in this country is the one related to?homosexuality: Article 377A of the Penal Code?prohibits sexual relations between persons of the same sex. On 28 February, a ruling by the Court of Appeal described this law as?fully constitutional.?Johnson Ong Ming, Bryan Choong?and?Roy Tan Seng Kee?challenged Section 377A on the grounds that it contravened Article 9(1) of the Constitution, which enshrines the right to life and?personal liberty. They were unsuccessful.

Despite this, the Prime Minister pledged in 2007 that he would?not actively enforce this rule?and that?no party would be prosecuted?in a court of law under this rule as long as the relationships took place in the?private sphere.

Be that as it may, following the Court of Appeal ruling, the debates surrounding this legal device were revived in Parliament and the Minister of the Interior himself emphasized the commitment of this city-state to?seek a gradual evolution of legislation?and change in public attitudes towards the LGTBQ+ issue. This statement is in line with the evolution that the city has experienced over the last few years. Little by little, the visibility of these people?is increasing?in many parts of the city. Recently, the government itself has even surveyed Singaporeans for the first time on this issue,?putting it directly into the political debate.

This is an important step. Even more so in a region where the civil liberties of LGBTQ+ people still come with?many limitations. Currently,?only Taiwan?and?Tokyo prefecture?allow same-sex marriage, something that?India?is now considering doing.?South Korea, for its part, recognizes same-sex couples.

Why is it important?

In recent years, authoritarian systems of government and authoritarian modes of governance?have gained ground in international politics. The fact that one of the world's richest and most prosperous countries continues to?move decisively?towards more freedom is a good thing for everyone. Even more so when we take into account that the Singaporean model is?an international benchmark?for many countries that yearn for the same level of development.

One day Singapore became an icon of economic freedom, now it has to do the same with?civil liberties. The good news is that if the 20th century has shown us anything, it is that change can happen?much faster?than we could ever imagine.