16 Nov 2022
Mr Chair,
1 Today, we are taking action on a series of country-specific human rights resolutions in the Third Committee, starting with A/C.3/77/L.32 entitled ‘The Situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’. I wish to place on record our position that as a matter of principle, Singapore does not support country-specific human rights resolutions in the Third Committee. It is an unfortunate reality that country-specific human rights resolutions are highly selective and indeed have become even more so, and are driven essentially by political considerations. Such resolutions are also inherently divisive and counter-productive and do not serve the purpose of making a difference to lives of people on the ground.
2 It is our position that country-specific human rights resolutions should be addressed under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in the Human Rights Council (HRC). This was why the HRC and the UPR mechanisms were created in the first place. For this reason, and as a matter of principle, Singapore will maintain our position to abstain on country-specific human rights resolutions in the Third Committee, if they are put to a vote.
Mr Chair,
3 Singapore’s position of abstaining on country-specific human rights resolutions should not be interpreted as taking a position on the substance of the human rights issues raised in any of the resolutions. We have always taken the position that all Member States of the UN have an obligation to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms. This remains our consistent position.
4 Thank you, Mr Chair.
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