About 30 people have became the first to hold a demonstration inside a designated area at the convention centre where the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are meeting in Singapore.

The protesters from the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) wore masks emblazoned with the words "No Voice" to highlight restrictions on non-governmental groups (NGOs) at the meetings which began on Thursday.

Their silence also symbolized what the group said was the lack of a voice poor countries have at the IMF and the Bank.

Despite the World Bank's appeal for Singapore to allow NGOs accredited by the IMF and World Bank to hold outdoor protests during the meetings, Singapore refused to waive a long-standing ban on public demonstrations.

Instead, it has allowed them to protest inside the convention centre in a roped-off area smaller than a basketball court, where they must abide by numerous regulations.

Protesters can shout but cannot use bullhorns or other sound amplifiers to disrupt proceedings. Police will provide free plastic placards on which protesters can write slogans.

If demonstrators bring banners, they cannot hoist them with metal or wooden poles. Those are dangerous, police said. As a substitute, cardboard poles will be provided.

Before protesting, activists must scan themselves in by passing their accreditation cards over a laser scanner.

"I've never seen anything like this before. I've never seen any protester have to scan themselves into a protest zone," said Taylor Thompson, a spokeswoman for GCAP, a coalition that represents 36 million anti-poverty campaigners around the world.

"I think people should be allowed to protest wherever they choose to protest, peacefully," Thompson said.

At least 13 plainclothes security officers monitored the peaceful demonstration.

Police have said tough security measures were necessary because the country, Southeast Asia's most advanced economy, is a high-profile "terrorist" target and any public protests would compromise preparations.

© Copyright 2006 AFP