Channel NewsAsia article - Singapore's pragmatic approach to human rights endorsed by many: Ambassador-at-Large

Posted 28 Jan 2016 21:57

At Singapore's second Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, a majority of states commended the Republic's policies and strategies, while some called Singapore to consider acceding to more human rights treaties.

SINGAPORE: The Republic's second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) was "good", said Ambassador-at-Large Professor Chan Heng Chee. The review took place at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Wednesday (Jan 27), where the majority of 113 states commended Singapore's policies, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

“We had a good UPR. This is more of an opportunity to explain our constraints and how we overcome social challenges. 113 delegations spoke, which is very high interest for a small country," Ambassador Chan said.

Under the HRC, the UPR reviews the human rights policies and practices in all 193 UN Member States - a process that rolls around once every four and a half years, where 14 Member States are reviewed at each session. The UPR's second cycle began in 2012, and Singapore last took part in 2011.

"(The delegations) each had 1 min and 5 seconds but almost all spent half their speaking time praising Singapore for our social policies," said Ambassador Chan. "I thought there was a lot of interest in Singapore because they found the results of our approach impressive. In fact, many delegations endorsed our pragmatic approach to human rights."

At the UPR, Prof Chan presented Singapore's national report and explained the "underlying philosophy and pragmatic approach behind Singapore’s policies that enabled it to overcome its constraints as a small, racially and religiously diverse country to promote and protect the human rights of all Singaporeans", said MFA.

Singapore's delegation - which comprised of officials from 11 ministries and Government agencies - also briefed UN member states participating in the UPR on the social policies and programmes Singapore had implemented since the last UPR to strengthen social protection and social harmony, said the MFA. The policies and programmes included the Pioneer Generation Package, SkillsFuture and MediShield Life.

MFA said a "significant majority" of states commended "Singapore’s policies to improve access to education, universal health coverage and housing, as well as to better care for the elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in a pragmatic way".

Singapore's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol was also welcomed, while many states commended Singapore’s strategies to foster social harmony and racial and religious tolerance, said MFA.

SINGAPORE RESPONDS TO RECOMMENDATIONS

At the UPR, some delegations recommended that Singapore abolish the death penalty, caning, detention without trial and section 377A of the Penal Code, while several also called on Singapore to consider acceding to more human rights treaties.

In response, the Singapore delegation explained the context and rationale of policies particular to Singapore on these issues, said MFA.

Said Ambassador Chan: "There are of course the usual recommendations urging us to abolish the death penalty and to sign more human rights conventions. But it is up to the state whether they want to accept or reject the recommendations."

The ministry said that some delegations also praised Singapore's measures to improve the situation of migrant workers here, but recommended that Singapore do more to protect their rights. In response, the Republic's delegation reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to safeguarding migrant workers’ well-being and rights.

Said MFA: "Singapore supports, and is committed to, the UPR process as it is an opportunity for all states to exchange views and experiences on their achievements and challenges in the human rights on equal terms."

A video of the full proceedings of Singapore's UPR can be viewed here.

- CNA/av