MFA Press Statement: Singapore’s Presentation at the 11th Session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group, UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, 6 May 2011

Mr Ong Keng Yong, Ambassador-at-Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented Singapore's National Report this morning at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. 

During the 3-hour interactive dialogue session, 54 member and observer States of the UN HRC from ASEAN, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Latin America, and Europe spoke up. All delegations recognised the substantial progress that Singapore had made in its relatively short history. They cited Singapore's remarkable achievements in raising the standards of education, healthcare, and development for Singaporeans despite its relatively short history, and in ensuring the peaceful existence of a multiracial and multireligious society. Some delegations noted the "impressive steps" taken by Singapore to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups such as women and children. Others commended the Singapore government's efforts to promote good governance, the rule of law, and to prevent and combat corruption.

Several delegations raised the issues of abolishing the death penalty and corporal punishment. Some delegations also asked Singapore to provide greater protection to trafficked victims and migrant workers, particularly foreign domestic workers.

On the issue of the death penalty, the Singapore delegation noted that there was no international consensus for or against capital punishment, including mandatory capital punishment. Singapore viewed the death penalty as a criminal justice issue that each state must decide for itself, taking into account its values and social circumstances. The Singapore delegation noted that capital punishment in Singapore was only imposed for the most serious crimes, after due judicial process, and in accordance with the law. Singaporeans understood and appreciated that the existence of capital punishment had helped to keep out the most serious crimes, allowing Singapore to have one of the lowest recorded homicide rates and heroin abuse in the world.

On the issue of corporal punishment, the Singapore delegation explained that caning was imposed by judges only in serious cases, after due process of law. The Singapore delegation highlighted that Singapore's criminal justice system was a holistic one. Sentences tailored at rehabilitation, such as community service and probation, also existed for appropriate offenders and offences. The Singapore delegation noted that the Singapore government is guided by the welfare of Singaporeans and their collective aspirations to live and raise their children in a safe oasis.

On the issue of migrant workers, the Singapore delegation stated that it took the wellbeing of migrant workers seriously. This was ensured through legislation, education and outreach efforts to inform foreign workers of their rights and responsibilities. Singapore had also enacted measures specially tailored to address the vulnerabilities of migrant domestic workers. Under the Penal Code, persons convicted of certain offences against migrant domestic workers were liable to a penalty which is one and a half times the usual penalty. It was also compulsory for employers to be trained about their obligations towards their migrant domestic workers and for workers to be randomly interviewed. With effective education and prosecution of abusive employers, incidence of abuse had fallen significantly over the years.

On the issue of Trafficking in Persons, the Singapore delegation explained that Singapore adopted a 4'P' approach: Prevention, Prosecution, Protection, and Proactive Problem-solving. Singapore enacted robust laws and enforcement powers to limit the growth of trafficking in persons. The government also worked with a network of NGOs, hospitals and schools to ensure that appropriate assistance and protection is extended to all victims of trafficking, including legal, financial, medical, psychological or counseling services. Action on these 4Ps was coordinated by an Inter-Agency Taskforce, which was also working on a comprehensive National Plan of Action to Combat TIP.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Ong thanked the delegations for contributing to Singapore's review. He explained that Singapore's main objective was to share certain fundamental principles relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in Singapore. Singapore's approach to human rights was the result of our unique historical, political and cultural circumstances. As a multiracial, multireligious and multilingual society, the preservation of social harmony, which forms the foundation of our economic and social development, was of paramount importance to Singapore. This was particularly so given our small size and dense population. Change would only come when the majority of Singaporeans desired it and changes would only be in the directions that were acceptable to the majority of Singaporeans.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 MAY 2011