British band Massive Attack have called being banned from Singapore a “surreal experience” after displaying a Palestinian flag during their show. This was reported by infohub.kz.
On Wednesday, at a concert at the Star Theatre, the band members unfurled and displayed a Palestinian flag while performing. As a result, they were investigated by police and banned from the country. Singapore is known for its strict laws prohibiting the unauthorized public display of foreign flags, national emblems, or banners.
On Sunday, the band issued an official statement on Instagram. It read: “Following our performance at the Star Theatre, Singapore, on 29th July, we were surprised and disappointed that our entire band was detained by the police, isolated and separately questioned – with some members subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation.”
The statement continued: “Before we set foot on the stage and again at the end of the show, large sections of the auditorium organically led chants of ‘Free Palestine’, presumably aware but undeterred that this spontaneous expression alone could violate their government’s censorship laws. For our part, we did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries would violate any law.”
The band described the experience as “a reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression, wherever those rights are threatened.” They also cited examples of peaceful protesters in the UK being arrested under terrorism laws for holding handwritten signs.
On Saturday, a statement from the Singapore police and the Infocomm Media Development Authority said that Del Naja and Marshall had been investigated for “their actions of support for a political cause and unfurling of a foreign flag.” Following the investigation, both were issued “stern warnings” and banned from re-entering Singapore.
Singapore authorities emphasized that they “take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore” and warned that “importing foreign politics can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law.”