Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the evolution of human rights activism in Singapore over the past 50 years. It documents the history of anti-death penalty campaigns in Singapore. The book examines the limits and challenges of local activism against torture, which is almost non-existent. It also examines the evolution of media activism for press freedom and right to information. The book offers a truly collaborative work among students and activists to trace back the history of arbitrary detention and the activism against it. It evaluates teleological and even celebratory narrative implicit in many accounts of women's history in Singapore. The book focuses on how the Singapore LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) communities have organised themselves in a space where their interests lack cultural resonance and where their civil-political rights are curtailed as compared to their counterparts in Western liberal democracies.