30 Oct 2018
Mr Chair,
1. Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Egypt on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
2. This agenda item holds deep meaning for Singapore. Singapore underwent a period of communal tensions and racial riots in the lead-up to our independence in 1965. Lives were lost, property was destroyed, and people were afraid to leave the relative safety of their own ethnic enclaves. There was deep mistrust amongst the different ethnic communities.
3. History has taught us that, for Singapore to survive, our society cannot be fractured along racial and religious lines. Since our National Pledge was adopted in 1966, Singaporeans have pledged ourselves as “one united people, regardless of race, language or religion”.
4. Singapore society is highly diverse, comprising Chinese, Malays, Indians, and other races. One in five marriages between Singaporeans is inter-ethnic, and one in three is trans-national. Most of our resident population are religiously affiliated; 43% are Buddhists or Taoists, 19% are Christians, 14% are Muslims, 5% are Hindus, and 0.6% belong to other religions. Forging unity in such diversity is no easy task.
5. Singapore has made significant progress in preserving racial and religious harmony over the last 53 years. This is not by chance but design. Our Constitution affirms that all are equal before the law, regardless of race, language or religion. The Presidential Council for Minority Rights ensure that bills do not unfairly discriminate against any race or religion. Laws are in place to deal with those who promote ill will and hostility amongst the different communities.
6. However, the legal framework alone cannot sustain racial and religious harmony. Eliminating racial and religious discrimination is about changing attitudes towards our differences, and this has to be done through building mutual trust, respect, and acceptance. In Singapore, we do this through policies that maximise our common spaces for interaction and the forging of shared experiences amongst our different communities. For instance, we ensure that all races live together as one community in our public housing, where 80% of Singaporeans live. Our students study together in the same classroom regardless of race or religion. Our employment policies prohibit racial and religious discrimination. When you interact with your classmates, co-workers, neighbours, and friends of different races and religions on a regular basis, the process of building mutual trust, respect, and acceptance becomes easier.
7. Mr Chair, we are facing new threats to our social fabric. Technology has made it easier to create, disseminate, and receive content designed to incite ill will and sow discord amongst the different communities. Globally, we are seeing how differences have divided communities and polarised societies. This has been exacerbated by increasing acts of terrorism around the world. Singapore is not spared from these threats. We are concerned that they would result in religious exclusivism and intolerance towards others, thereby affecting our racial and religious harmony. This is why we continue to guard against extremist and segregationist views and teachings, which, if allowed to spread and take root, could lead to divided and mistrustful communities.
8. For these reasons, the Singapore Government works closely with our religious and community leaders to build mutual trust and understanding. For instance, we have a community-level initiative called the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles, comprising leaders of different faiths and races, to promote dialogue and trust amongst the different communities, and to help defuse racial and religious tensions in times of need. We also introduced a Harmony Fund to support ground-up initiatives that promote racial and religious harmony.
9. Mr Chair, Singapore’s ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination entrenches our commitment to strengthen inter-racial and inter-faith understanding and respect through engaging the various stakeholders. Racial and religious discrimination has no place in our society today, and Singapore stands ready to work with the international community to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, and other related intolerance.
10. Thank you.
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