STATEMENT BY MR MARK CHANG, DELEGATE TO THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON AGENDA ITEM 72(B), ON HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, THIRD COMMITTEE, 30 OCTOBER 2017

Thank you Mr Chair for giving me the floor.

2          Singapore is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with our international obligations and agreements. Our approach has been a pragmatic one which is aimed at fulfilling our people’s needs and improving their livelihoods. We consider securing the social and economic development of our people as being key to realising their human rights. In our view, there is no single formula to addressing human rights that can be applied to all member states. As our societal, cultural and historical circumstances differ, it is only expected that we must each adapt our own approaches and policies that would work best in our respective domestic contexts.

3          In Singapore we are fortunate to have multi-religious and multi-ethnic communities living peacefully with each other. This however did not come about by chance. The peaceful co-existence of diverse cultures today is the result of deliberate choices made by the government and the people who recognise the importance of social integration and maintaining racial and religious harmony. In Singapore, all our citizens are equal before the law regardless of their race, language or religion. To maintain the fragile inter-religious and inter-racial harmony in Singapore, expressions of racial intolerance and extremism that denigrate religious or ethnic groups are not tolerated. In our view, the freedom of expression does not come without corresponding responsibilities. Singaporeans have a shared understanding that individual rights and freedoms cannot be unbridled and that individuals have to co-exist peaceably and with due regard to the rights of others.  As such, the exercise of individual rights comes with responsibilities. The rights of the individual must necessarily be balanced with those of the society that they belong. Where the exact balance between societal and individual rights lies is for each country to determine, based on its unique history, circumstances and stage of development.  At the same time, it is incumbent on governments to be accountable to their people, exercise good governance and uphold the rule of law in order to better the lives of their people.

Mr Chair,

4          Our approach has resulted in tangible benefits for our people, and advanced our commitment under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) to leave no one behind. The UN Human Development Report 2016 ranked Singapore joint 5^th in its Human Development Index. Singapore was also ranked 9^th in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index in 2016. In both indices, Singapore was the only Asian country to make the top 10. However, we will not rest on our laurels.  We are committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda and will continue our efforts to further improve the lives of our people.

5          At the same time, Singapore recognises that what has worked for us may not necessarily work for others. In turn, our view is that no country or grouping has the right to impose its views on human rights on other countries or societies. Imposing a particular worldview on other countries without being accountable to the citizens of these countries is more likely to sow discord rather than achieve common understanding. We think a better approach of seeking understanding on human rights issues would be to engage constructively with others in an atmosphere of mutual respect. 

6          In conclusion, my delegation reiterates our view that there is no singular approach to the promotion and protection of human rights. Each country will need to decide how best to improve the social, economic, cultural and human rights of its people.  If we are to collectively fulfil our responsibilities to better the lives of our citizens, we believe that States should engage each other in a spirit of cooperation and respect in order to build mutual trust and understanding on the promotion and protection of human rights. Let us keep this in mind as we strive together to achieve our shared goals, in particular the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its goals. Thank you.

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