STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE 75TH UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE GENERAL DEBATE 6 OCTOBER 2020

1 Thank you very much, Madam Chair. I commend you and your Bureau for your transparent and inclusive consultations on the programme of work for this committee.  We agree with you and support your approach. 

2 COVID-19 has affected all our societies.  And all of us are busy dealing with the challenge of preventing another wave of infection and responding to the economic and social devastation caused by the pandemic.  On its part, Singapore is doing all it can to help our citizens cope with the effects of the pandemic.  In this moment of challenge, countries have to work together in a spirit of solidarity.  We have to strengthen international cooperation to ensure affordable, fair and equitable access to vaccines for all.  Singapore supports a multilateral approach to ensure access to vaccines, and not a unilateral approach that will allow some countries to monopolise access to vaccines.  We support a strong role for the United Nations and the WHO in this regard. 

Madam Chair,

3 Singapore takes a pragmatic approach to the protection and promotion of human rights by focusing on enhancing the lives and livelihood of its people.  We recognise that what has worked for us may not necessarily work for others.  Our view is that no country or grouping of countries has the right to impose its views on human rights on other countries or societies.  Singapore believes that it is important to engage other states in a constructive dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual respect.  The pandemic cannot be used as an opportunity to impose the views, values and vision of some countries on other countries.

4 In particular, the Third Committee cannot be used as a platform or a pretext to table resolutions that impose the views of one group of countries on other countries, especially if there is no international consensus or international law against such policies.  It is in this context that Singapore will respond to any resolution, especially resolutions that attempt to impose views on others.  No matter how well-intentioned they may be, they are misguided.  My delegation will strongly reaffirm the sovereign right of all countries to determine their legal and political systems. 

Madam Chair,

5 Singapore has always opposed country-specific resolutions and we will continue to maintain this approach at this session.  We regard such resolutions to be driven by political rather than human rights considerations.  We also disagree with the practice of some Member States increasingly issuing joint statements to target the policies of other countries and to interfere in their internal affairs.  Such an approach in our view is divisive and counter-productive because it does not build trust and does not help to resolve the underlying issues.  

6 Singapore supports the elimination of the use of unilateral coercive measures because such measures in our view impede the social and economic development of developing countries and hamper their response to the pandemic.  Singapore has always taken a consistent and principled approach against unilateral coercive measures as these measures undermine the multilateral process and do not help to find political solutions. 

Madam Chair,

7 Singapore’s approach to social development and human rights has produced tangible benefits for our people.  We are proud that we are ranked highly in the UNDP Human Development Index.  Yet, we are not satisfied, and we are constantly looking to improve our policies and systems to improve the lives of our citizens.  In particular, we attach the greatest priority to protecting women, children, girls, and persons with disabilities.  

8 Singapore has made strides in enhancing the well-being and full participation of persons with disabilities under our Enabling Master Plan.  At the international level, we are honoured to represent the Asia-Pacific Group as a Vice-President of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD.  We were pleased to co-initiate a joint statement on the need for a disability-inclusive response to COVID-19 which was endorsed by 146 member states.  

Madam Chair,

9 Singapore believes that it is incumbent on governments -- all governments -- to be accountable, exercise good governance, and uphold the rule of law to better protect the lives of their people.  Ultimately, we should keep in mind that the protection of the human rights of all our people requires the urgent implementation of all the Sustainable Development Goals.  And more importantly, it requires all of us to engage in a dialogue that is constructive, based on mutual respect and not in an attempt to impose the views of one group of countries on other groups of countries.  If we are faced with such attempts or resolutions, Madam Chair, we will continue to reaffirm the sovereign right of all countries to determine their own legal and political systems.  Thank you very much for your attention.

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