Response to OHCHR news release on the visit to Singapore by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Ms Rosa Kornfeld-Matte

4 October 2016

Ms Beatriz Balbin-Chamorro

Chief

Special Procedures Branch

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Palais des Nations

CH 1211 Geneva 10

Dear Ms Balbin-Chamorro

               I am writing regarding the OHCHR news release on the visit to Singapore by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, Ms Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, dated 3 October 2016. 

               The press release failed to accurately reflect the rich and extensive exchange of views between Ms Kornfeld-Matte and Singapore officials.  During her visit, Ms Kornfeld-Matte praised Singapore’s commitment to take a whole-of-Government and whole-of-society approach to building a Nation for All Ages.  She took positive note that the Singapore Government was planning for the long term, had put in place the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, and that the extensive public consultations conducted by the Government had ensured that the Action Plan remained relevant and enjoyed the ownership of all stakeholders, particularly older Singaporeans.  She welcomed the Government’s approach in working with non-profit and voluntary welfare organisations, community partners, and trained volunteers to translate policies into action within the community. 

               Ms Kornfeld-Matte also commended the Singapore Government’s decision to honour and pay tribute to Singapore’s pioneers for their significant contributions to Singapore’s early nation-building through the Pioneer Generation Package.  She welcomed our approach of empowering our citizens to embrace the opportunities from longevity and achieve positive ageing.  This would allow them to become significant drivers of the future workforce, economy, and society, for instance, through our moves towards lifelong learning, senior volunteerism, and workplace longevity. 

               She commended Singapore for its commitment towards research into ageing and for setting aside up to S$200 million under the National Innovation Challenge to catalyse innovative ideas and interdisciplinary research to transform the experience of ageing in Singapore.  She praised Singapore’s research and development programmes and said they could serve as an example for other countries. 

               Ms Kornfeld-Matte stressed the need for the Government to further strengthen protection and support for vulnerable seniors.  We explained to her in detail the Government’s policies to strengthen social safety nets for the elderly.  Schemes such as Workfare, the Silver Support Scheme and ComCare Fund, as well as subsidies for essential services like healthcare, housing, and transport are concrete policies that have already been implemented.  The Government’s plans to introduce the Vulnerable Adults Act will strengthen the existing legal framework and better protect the rights of older persons. 

               We share Ms Kornfeld-Matte’s view about the need to strengthen our system to ensure that our plans to prepare for population ageing are sustained.  We affirmed our commitment to continue to take a whole-of-nation approach, plan long term and invest consistently to build a Nation for All Ages.  We will also study the best practices and programmes that she highlighted, including ways to provide more statistical information on the state of ageing in Singapore.

               We welcome the opportunity to exchange views and learn from Ms Kornfeld-Matte’s expertise and experiences.  We also thank Ms Kornfeld-Matte for her visit and will study and consider her recommendations carefully.  Unfortunately, OHCHR has given an incomplete and inaccurate picture of the situation in Singapore, instead of trying to present a balanced statement that more accurately reflects the depth and substance of our discussions with Ms Kornfeld-Matte.

Joy BOO

First Secretary