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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s criminal justice policies are in accordance with international law, grounded in evidence and calibrated to its national context to protect citizens, the country’s delegation told a session at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n This was in response to recommendations by several states calling for the suspension and abolition of the death penalty, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore presented its approach on Tuesday (May 12)<\/span> at its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) – a process which reviews the human rights records of all UN member states once every five years. This was Singapore’s fourth UPR.<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore’s delegation, which comprised officials from eight agencies, was led by Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam.<\/span><\/p>\n “Singapore values the UPR as a unique, peer-driven process that spurs countries to keep advancing the protection and promotion of human rights,” MFA said in a media statement after the review.<\/span><\/p>\n “It is also a useful opportunity to exchange best practices and engage constructively with other states, even where approaches may differ,” it added.<\/span><\/p>\n “Singapore will study the recommendations carefully, and for those relevant to our national context, consider how they can be advanced in a manner that leads to better outcomes for our people.”<\/span><\/p>\n A total of 142 states spoke at Singapore\u2019s UPR, with many commending the country on the significant progress it has made in recent years, said MFA.<\/span><\/p>\n “We thanked states for commending our first workplace anti-discrimination legislation; our efforts to advance the status of women and to strengthen protection of and support for vulnerable groups such as children and persons with disabilities; our initiatives to maintain racial and religious harmony; and our advancements in sustainable development,” said the ministry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “States also acknowledged our continued efforts to improve the protection and welfare of migrant workers.”<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore’s delegation also spoke about the progress it has made since its last UPR, including enacting the Workplace Fairness Act and expanding support for vulnerable groups.<\/span><\/p>\n During the review, several countries called for Singapore to suspend the death penalty, with a view to abolishing it. These countries included Australia, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, Estonia and Ireland.<\/p>\n Others, including Brazil, Croatia and Venezuela, called for capital punishment to be abolished.<\/p>\n A few countries, such as Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands, raised concerns about the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), while some called for freedom of expression to be aligned with international human rights.<\/span><\/p>\nCALLS TO ABOLISH DEATH PENALTY<\/h2>\n