SINGAPORE'S EXPLANATION OF VOTE ON RESOLUTION A/C.1/68/L.3 ON THE "IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION" AND ON RESOLUTION A/C.1/68/L.4 ON "THE ARMS TRADE TREATY" AT THE FIRST COMMITTEE, 68TH UNGA

Thank you, Mr Chairman,

            I am taking the floor to explain my delegation’s votes in favour of the draft resolution A/C.1/68/L.3 on “Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction” and in favour of draft resolution A/C.1/68/L.4 on “The Arms Trade Treaty”.

Resolution A/C.1/68/L.3: Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction

2          Singapore’s position on anti-personnel landmines has been clear and open. As in the past years, Singapore supports and will continue to support all initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines, especially when they are directed at innocent and defenceless civilians. With this in mind, Singapore declared a two-year moratorium in May 1996 on the export of anti-personnel landmines without self-neutralising mechanisms. In February 1998, Singapore expanded the moratorium to include all manner of anti-personnel landmines, not just those without self-neutralising mechanisms, and extended the moratorium indefinitely. We also support the work of the Convention by regularly attending the Meetings of the State Parties to the Convention.

3          At the same time, like several other countries, Singapore firmly states that the legitimate security concerns and the right to self-defence of any state cannot be disregarded. A blanket ban on all types of anti-personnel landmines might therefore be counter-productive.

4          Singapore supports international efforts to resolve the humanitarian concerns over anti-personnel landmines. We will continue to work with members of the international community towards finding a durable and truly global solution.

Resolution A/C.1/68/L.4 on “The Arms Trade Treaty”

Mr Chairman,

5          Singapore has voted in favour of the draft First Committee resolution on the Arms Trade Treaty. We also voted in favour of the earlier UN General Assembly Resolution 67/234 that adopted the text of the Treaty.

6          Singapore believes that an Arms Trade Treaty should be practical, effective and based on feasible and implementable obligations, so that it can be universally accepted. Although the Arms Trade Treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in April 2013, Singapore notes that certain articles were introduced late and incorporated into the final text with little opportunity for debate during the Final UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty in March 2013. In this regard, Singapore would need more time to study the Treaty obligations.

7          Thank you.

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