STATEMENT BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS JONATHAN CHEN DURING THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION, 24 JUNE 2022

STATEMENT BY DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS JONATHAN CHEN DURING THE INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF OPINION AND EXPRESSION, 24 JUNE 2022

Mdm Vice-President,

Singapore thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report on this salient subject. We would like to address paragraph 65 of the document.

The freedom of expression is a fundamental liberty guaranteed under Singapore’s Constitution, in line with international standards. This right is not unqualified under the applicable international human rights law and may be subject to certain restrictions.

Societies across the world are grappling with the real and serious threat that disinformation poses. Many have taken measures, legislative and non-legislative, to effectively counter this serious threat.

The Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act is an important part of Singapore’s multi-pronged approach to combating online falsehoods, which includes public communications and education to nurture a well-informed and discerning citizenry.

It was drafted after an extensive process of study and public debate, including with Singapore’s civil society.

Singapore’s approach may not conform to certain ideological preferences, but our laws are ours to make, as it is the interests of our democratic society which are at stake.

Thank you.

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