STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS ON AGENDA ITEM 71(b), ON HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, THIRD COMMITTEE, 22 OCTOBER 2024

Mdm Chair,

1 Singapore has always been firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights in line with our international obligations. Our approach to human rights is guided by the rule of law, good governance, and a commitment to improving the lives of our people. As a small state with no natural resource except our own human resource, we attach the greatest importance to improving the lives of our people within our own unique circumstances. We aspire to achieve a fair, just, and inclusive society and we prioritise the social and economic development of our people, within a safe and secure environment. 

2 The path that we have taken as an independent nation may be unique but it has delivered results for our people. We take pride that Singapore consistently ranks amongst the top ten countries in the UNDP’s Human Development Index

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which assesses three basic dimensions of human development, namely a long and healthy life, access to knowledge, and a decent standard of living. We do well in many indexes, such as quality of childhood, health of women and children, and longevity.  Our people are highly educated and skilled, and nearly 98% of our population is literate.

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Likewise, we ranked highly in the Gallup Law and Order Index, since 2015.

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We have very low crime rates, and 94% of our people, including women, feel safe walking home alone at night.

3 The Singapore story is the result of carefully crafted policies and good governance. A system that works for all must balance individual freedoms and societal needs. Our constitution guarantees fundamental liberties to all our citizens but, as in any society, rights and freedoms are not absolute. They need to be balanced against the interests of society as a whole. We do not for instance tolerate hate speech that incites hostility against racial groups, or allow the desecration of holy books in the name of free speech. We know that such racially charged and incendiary behaviour can quickly spiral down the path of violence. We thus fiercely safeguard the delicate fabric of our society, and ensure the safety and well-being of our minority groups as well as those in vulnerable situations.

Mdm Chair,

4 While Singapore has a model that works well for us and enjoys the support of our people, we do not claim that it is perfect. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the realisation of human rights.We do not seek to impose our views and values on others; at the same time, we do not welcome others imposing their views and values on our people and on our society. It is no secret that here at the United Nations, some countries cannot resist the temptation to lecture others, often from their moral highground. Some of our friends in this Committee are always ready to give unsolicited lessons to the world. This Committee has long had a reputation for reaching great heights of hypocrisy and for descending into the depths of double standards. Many in this Committee are generous with their criticisms of other countries and societies when what is really needed is more self-criticism and self reflection.

5 The reality is that no one country has a monopoly of wisdom, or virtue, or of morality. Each country has to decide what works best for itself in light of its own unique circumstances, taking into account its international law obligations. That is the basis of sovereignty and sovereign equality enshrined in UN Charter. When differences arise, we must pursue genuine dialogue, based on mutual respect and empathy.

Mdm Chair,

6 It is in this spirit that my delegation and I look forward to the forthcoming discussions on human right questions in the weeks to come. Thank you very much.

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^[1] Last ranking done in 2022. Singapore ranked 9 out of 193 countries, with a score of 0.949/1.

^[2] According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the literacy rate among residents aged 15 years and over in 2021 was 97.6%: accessible at https://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/reference/ebook/population/education-and-literacy.

^[3] Except in the 2021 index, where Singapore was not surveyed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.