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SINGAPORE – Singapore’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic featured prominently in the country’s latest report to the United Nations, presented as part of a routine review of each member state’s human rights record.
During the crisis, Singapore took steps to protect low-income and vulnerable residents, including migrant workers in dormitories, he said, adding that economic and social support measures were also put in place to protect businesses and individuals.
“The pandemic has ‘stress tested’ all countries politically, socially and economically,” Singapore said in its national report, which is publicly available on the UN website. “Singapore’s response to the pandemic has shown that we have the social capital to emerge stronger and face future crises.”
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) analyzes the human rights records of the 193 UN member states every five years. Its evaluation is based on the reports submitted by the country under review, as well as by civil society organizations and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
While previous iterations saw the report discussed in person at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, this year’s three-hour review will take place virtually on May 12.
During the process, other member states may pose questions or make recommendations to the country under review, and the total number of recommendations for each country is typically in the hundreds.
A report of results is then prepared and states can choose to accept the recommendations made.
After its first review in 2011, Singapore fully or partially supported 84 out of 112 recommendations made and 125 out of 236 recommendations after the second review in 2016.
This year’s 20-page edition covers a wide range of topics, including its efforts to promote the well-being of migrant workers and protect women from discrimination. The Interministerial Committee on Human Rights carried out three rounds of consultations with civil society organizations on issues addressed in the report.
In the report, which was presented to the UN in January, Singapore also sets out its approach to human rights.
These are based on two principles, the first is that human rights do not exist in a vacuum, but must take into account the specific circumstances of a country, he said. Second, the rule of law is considered here “an essential precondition and foundation for promoting and protecting human rights.”
On the issue of freedom of expression and expression, the report highlighted the introduction of the Law for Protection against Falsehood and Online Manipulation (Pofma) in 2019. The dissemination of misinformation “diminishes the genuine exercise of the right to freedom. of speech, “he said, adding that Pofma helps add facts to online echo chambers and preserves the broad medium of public discourse.
Singapore also laid out its stance on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in the report, stating that it strongly opposes discrimination and harassment.
Laws exist to protect citizens from such acts, he added, highlighting amendments to the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act in 2019 to broaden its legislative reach.
With the changes, it is now a crime to knowingly encourage violence against individuals and groups based on religion or religious belief. This protection also extends to non-religious groups, including the LGBTI community.
“All Singapore citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, are free to conduct their activities in their private space,” the report states.
This year’s UPR delegation will be led by Professor Chan Heng Chee, Ambassador-General.
“We look forward to continuing a positive and constructive conversation with other UN member states and civil society organizations about our achievements and challenges,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday (April 1).
“This includes sharing Singapore’s pragmatic and results-based approach to human rights, designed to improve the lives and interests of all Singaporeans within our unique historical, social and cultural context.”
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