국제앰네스티는 작가 앨런 새드레이크(Alan Shadrake)에 대한 싱가포르법원의 유죄선고는 사법부에 대한 정당한 비난과 표현의 자유를 더 후퇴시키는 일이라고 전했다.
말레이지아에 살고 있는 75세 영국시민인 새드레이크는 지난 3일 자신이 집필한 책 “한때 유쾌했던 교수형 집행인 (Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock)”에 담긴 내용 때문에 법정 모독에 대한 유죄판결을 받았다.
새드레이크는 지난 7월 구속되었으며 그의 책은 정부와 부자들에게 굴복하는 등 싱가포르 사법부의 비윤리적 행태를 고발하고 있다.
국제앰네스티 샘 자리피 아시아•태평양국 국장은 “이번 판결은 싱가포르 사람들과 외국인을 포함한 모든 사람들의 언론의 자유를 후퇴 시키는 일”이라며 “새드레이크에 대한 기소는 표현의 자유를 억압해 온 싱가포르의 역사를 다시 상기시키는 일” 이라고 평가했다. 
SINGAPORE CONVICTS AUTHOR OF DEATH PENALTY BOOK
3 November 2010Singapore’s conviction of author Alan Shadrake for contempt of court will further stifle freedom of expression and legitimate criticism of the Singaporean judiciary, Amnesty International said today.
Shadrake, a 75 year-old British citizen based in Malaysia, was convicted today for contempt of court due to his book ‘Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock’ “scandalizing the judiciary” according to the judgement, which found that the book alleges “grave misconduct on the part of the courts.”
Shadrake faces imprisonment, a fine, or both. He is scheduled to be sentenced next Tuesday 9 November.
“This judgement creates a chilling effect on freedom of speech, for Singaporeans and foreigners alike,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Director for the Asia-Pacific.
Alan Shadrake’s book accuses Singapore’s courts of bowing to pressure from the government and the wealthy.
“Singapore’s criminal prosecution of Shadrake only underscores the country’s poor record of respect for freedom of expression,” said Sam Zarifi.
Shadrake is also being prosecuted under Singapore’s criminal defamation laws, which have in the past been used to silence critics of the government.
The UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression has called on all countries to abolish criminal defamation laws, on the grounds that civil defamation laws already provide adequate protection.
Shadrake was arrested in Singapore in July 2010 after launching his book on the history of the Singaporean death penalty.
