Singaporean authorities detained members of Massive Attack after a Palestinian flag was brought out during their show, according to the British band’s Instagram post.
Reuters noted that the band expressed they were “surprised and disappointed” after the entire group was held and questioned.
The post further noted that several members had their passports temporarily seized and their hotel rooms searched.
Singaporean police have not replied to Reuters’ requests for comment regarding the band’s claims.
Massive Attack did not clarify which specific members were held, had their rooms searched, or had their passports taken.
Witnesses informed Reuters that band members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall, both British citizens, displayed the flag as concertgoers cheered “Free Palestine”.
Singapore police stated last Friday that the group’s actions “could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore”.
Consequently, two unnamed band members received stern warnings and were banned from returning to the country.
Human rights and freedom of expression
In their statement, the band remarked: “We did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law.
“The surreal experience was a reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression wherever those rights are threatened,” the band added.
Displaying foreign national symbols publicly without an official permit or exemption is illegal in Singapore, and the Palestinian flag carries heightened sensitivity due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Guardian reported Massive Attack saying it felt proud for having “made this impromptu expression with our fans in Singapore who clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in their ongoing reality of illegal occupation, apartheid, and genocide, and we salute their courage in doing so. Right across the world, the continued inaction of the ‘international community’ is moving citizens to personal risk.”
The band, known for the theme song for the series House MD, added: “At home in the UK, peaceful protestors (are being) arrested under terrorism laws for holding up handwritten signs protesting genocide, despite appeals from all sides of the political spectrum.”
Massive Attack also thanked the people of Singapore for making them feel welcome, and at the same time, hoped that the government of Singapore “will choose to ratify the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and allow their citizens expressions of conscience without fear of state prosecution”. - Mkini
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