Singapore submits human rights report to UN

It lists achievements and stands firm in areas such as death penalty
By Lydia Lim

SINGAPORE'S first report to the United Nations (UN) on the state of human rights here highlights its achievements in health, housing and education.

It also takes a firm stand in areas such as the death penalty, detention without trial, and limits on certain freedoms including those of speech, assembly and the press.

Singapore respects the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the report released on Friday makes clear. But it maintains that the manner in which all rights are attained 'must take cognisance of specific national circumstances and aspirations'.

With its multi-racial, multi-religious and multilingual population, the young city state has 'no margin for error'. It insists on the rule of law to ensure stability and security - the prerequisites for economic growth, the Government says in the 10,700-word report, which several agencies worked on for more than a year.

Yet, Singapore is open to change: 'We recognise that as the demands of our people change over time, so too must our goals and policies.'

Singapore submitted its report card on human rights to the UN earlier this month as part of a peer review process known as the Universal Periodic Review.


(2011-2-26/straitstimes.com)