STATEMENT BY MR NATHANIEL KHNG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, FOR CLUSTER 2 DEBATE, ON AGENDA ITEM 78 ON CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, RESUMED SESSION OF THE SIXTH COMMITTEE, 11 APRIL 2023

Thank you, Mdm Chairperson.

1 Singapore has the following comments on draft article 4.  

2 With respect to draft article 4 paragraph (b), Singapore agrees with the principle that States should undertake to prevent crimes against humanity “through cooperation with other States, relevant intergovernmental organisations and, as appropriate, other organisations”. However, there may be room to clarify the scope of a State’s obligation in this regard, as other States have also observed. While the type of cooperation to be expected is likely to be contextual, to enable States to understand the nature of the commitment in draft article 4 paragraph (b), it would be helpful to clarify the scope of the undertaking. For example, the relationship between draft article 4 paragraph (b) and the obligations to take preliminary measures under draft article 9 and render mutual legal assistance under draft article 14 is not clear.

3 My delegation has also noted with interest the views of other States, for instance, that draft article 4 expresses a general undertaking rather than an independent obligation to take specific actions. 

4 Thank you for your attention.

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