STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SOVEREIGN RIGHTS AMENDMENT (A/C.3/77/L.54) TO THE RESOLUTION “MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF THE DEATH PENALTY”, THIRD COMMITTEE 11 NOVEMBER 2022

Mr Chairman

1 I have the honour to introduce an amendment on behalf of a group of more than 39 countries as contained in document L.54.  The amendment reads as follows:

“Reaffirms the sovereign rights of all countries to develop their own legal systems, including determining appropriate legal penalties, in accordance with their international law obligations.”

2 The amendment is simple, neutral and constructive. This is a serious and sincere proposal made in good faith.  The objective of the amendment is to reaffirm a fundamental principle of the UN Charter. The amendment is fully consistent with international law; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

3 The amendment is not new; it is taken word for word from previously adopted resolutions.  In 2020, the Third committee adopted the same amendment with a large majority of votes. The amendment therefore restores an integral part of Resolution 75/183 as adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 2020.

4 We are therefore deeply disappointed that the proponents have insisted on deleting OP1. 

5 We are also deeply disappointed that the proponents adopted a “take-it-or-leave it approach”.  They have chosen to delete our proposal and deny our sovereign rights.

6 The draft resolution put forward by the proponents contains many flaws and serious defects. 

7 The amendment we have proposed will address a fundamental flaw in the draft resolution. 

8 Firstly, the amendment will restore language adopted not once, not twice, but three times by a majority in the Third Committee. 

9 Secondly, the amendment will reaffirm a fundamental principle of the UN Charter.  

10 Thirdly, the amendment will reaffirm the sovereign rights of all countries to make their own decisions with regard to their legal systems and legal penalties. 

11 Distinguished delegates, to put it simply, the amendment seeks to defend our sovereign rights, your sovereign rights; it seeks to defend the UN Charter, and it seeks to defend the multilateral rules-based system based on mutual respect and the sovereign equality of all nations. 

12 Please, Please I ask you, vote YES for the amendment to protect your own sovereign rights.  Your support will send a clear signal that the sovereign rights of all countries must be respected. And the views of countries cannot be ignored, deleted, denied, dismissed and denigrated.

13 I thank you very much for your support and attention.

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