Singapore activists warn of surging xenophobia as foreigners take the blame for social ills
Campaigners warn of rising racism and fear of outsiders following a string of incidents targeting some of the city state’s foreign population of 1.55 million
Guest workers and expatriates are increasingly the target of “xenophobic” attacks on social media, Singapore’s leading activists groups warned on Wednesday.
There is evidence of the “widespread use of racist, aggressive and militarised rhetoric” against foreigners on social networks, said a press release issued by 12 independent groups including Maruah, Singapore’s main human rights group.
It warned of a worrying trend “blaming foreigners for social ills” such as overcrowding and local unemployment, often posted anonymously online.
“We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the recent surge of racism and xenophobia in Singapore,” the statement said.
It added that the key to addressing frustrations felt by many Singaporeans was for the government to change the policies which caused marginalisation and inequality.
“These inequitable policies were not instituted by migrants and will not automatically disappear if the migrant population decreases,” the press release said.