03 Nov 2023
Mr Chair,
1 Singapore is fully committed to eliminating bigotry and racism in all its forms, as a State Party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination.
2 An issue of such crucial importance certainly should not be politicised or instrumentalised. This is particularly so in today’s context, where instances of racial discrimination and intolerance have been on the rise, with the spread of such ideas through the internet, and the deepening of societal fault lines.
3 Singapore’s vote in favour of this resolution is hence a vote in support of the elimination of all contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Singapore does not in any way condone using the combatting of Nazism or neo-Nazism, or indeed any other narrative, as a pretext for violating the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of other countries. This is why Singapore voted in favour of the amendment to reintroduce OP4.
Mr Chair,
4 Singapore’s support for this resolution should be seen in the context of our strong and consistent support for international law and the principles of the UN Charter, as well as our commitment to the elimination of all contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
5 Thank you, Mr Chair.
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