Without an independent way of verifying the government’s claims about compliance, it is critical that a national human rights institution be established immediately in accordance with the Paris Principles. Prolonged detentions without judicial review under the Internal Security Act and the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act continue with no transparency over the numbers being detained. Executions often take place without adequate warning given to the prisoners or their families. We regret that the government rejected the 25 recommendations that called for the abolition of the death penalty and corporal punishment.
Human Rights Council - 32nd session
Item 6 - Adoption of the report on the UPR of Singapore Oral statement
Mr. President,
FIDH (Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme) together with its partners Function 8 and Think Centre welcome the Singapore government’s commitment to ratify the ICERD and the OP-CRC-SC. However, we are extremely disappointed that it continues to refuse ratification of other internationally accepted human rights instruments, notably the ICCPR, the ICESCR, and the CAT.
The government’s claim that it is substantially in compliance with the objectives of international human rights treaties is unfounded. People exercising their rights to freedom of expression face ongoing threats. Last year, a teenager was jailed for publishing a political video. A few weeks ago, a number of bloggers, editors, and publishers of independent online media were subjected to intense police investigation for allegedly breaching electoral advertising regulations. Police searched their homes, seized their equipment, and archived their communications in totality. These procedures are wholly disproportionate and are calculated measures to intimidate and cast a chilling pall over civic participation. Beyond a facade of legality, Singapore continues to violate international human rights standards, curtailing citizens’ right to freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly.
Without an independent way of verifying the government’s claims about compliance, it is critical that a national human rights institution be established immediately in accordance with the Paris Principles. Prolonged detentions without judicial review under the Internal Security Act and the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act continue with no transparency over the numbers being detained. Executions often take place without adequate warning given to the prisoners or their families. We regret that the government rejected the 25 recommendations that called for the abolition of the death penalty and corporal punishment.
Repeated calls to establish a minimum wage have also been ignored. Clearly, decades of policies aimed at uplifting the poorest segments of the population have not been successful. Almost a quarter of Singaporeans still live in relative poverty. Thank you.
For recording of full session: http://webtv.un.org/watch/singapore...
