STATEMENT BY MS NICOLA-ANNE SINGH, DELEGATE TO THE 73RD SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ON AGENDA ITEM 74(b), ON HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVE ENJOYMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS, THIRD COMMITTEE, 29 OCTOBER 2018

Mr Chair,

1        Thank you for giving me the floor. 

2        Singapore is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, implementing our laws and policies in line with our international obligations. Our approach is aimed at fulfilling the needs of our people and ensuring that every citizen lives in peace and harmony, in enjoyment of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. In our view, looking after the social and economic development of our citizens is key to realising their human rights.

3        Singapore’s approach to the promotion and protection of human rights also reflects our unique circumstances as a small, densely-populated country whose people come from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. Many Singaporeans still remember the internal strife that plagued our young nation in our post-independence years. Against such inherently fragile conditions, Singapore’s objective in its approach to human rights has always rested on building a fair and inclusive society which preserves social harmony.

4        Today, Singaporeans of all ethnicities and religions live peacefully alongside each other. This harmony has been conscientiously maintained through policies of social integration as well as through an impartial and independent judicial system where every citizen is equal before the law, regardless of their race, religion or socio-economic status. Our laws take a strong stand against those who espouse racial and religious intolerance, and against those who seek to incite hostility towards any social group. Given our unique circumstances, we simply cannot afford for individual freedoms to be abused at the risk of rupturing our hard-won collective social harmony.

5        Singapore’s view is that the exercise of individual rights comes with corresponding responsibilities. Determining the balance between societal rights and individual rights is an ongoing and evolving exercise among various stakeholders. It is for this reason that the Government conducts dialogues and public consultations with citizens on issues of social importance. Government engagement and accountability to its people must be the foundation for building a social compact that forms the basis of a just, stable and equitable society.

Mr Chair,

6        Singapore’s people have benefitted tangibly over the years from this approach. Singapore ranked in the top three countries in the East Asia and Pacific region in the World Justice Project’s 2017-2018 Rule of Law Index, which measures the rule of law adherence in 113 countries worldwide. Separately, the 2017 UN Human Development Index placed Singapore in 9^th position, in the very high human development category. Going forward, the Government remains committed to building a fair and inclusive society where no one is left behind.

7        However, Singapore does not seek to be dogmatic or prescriptive about our approach to human rights. Discussions in the Third Committee have demonstrated clearly that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model of human rights that can be applied to all countries. We do not claim to be perfect or insist that ours is a model that others must subscribe to. We also humbly recognise that what has worked for us may not necessarily work for others as each country is shaped by its unique domestic and regional contexts.

8        In turn, our view is that no country or grouping should think it has the right to impose its views on other countries or societies. Such an approach is counter-productive in our common journey towards achieving understanding on this issue. My delegation believes that to advance dialogue on the issue of human rights, we must first appreciate each other’s unique local circumstances, engage constructively with one another, and maintain mutual respect for each other. It is only in such a spirit of cooperation and respect that we can collectively build mutual trust and understanding on the promotion and protection of human rights.

9        I thank you.

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