S'pore dismisses Human Rights Watch report as inaccurate

SINGAPORE (Jan 27, 2012) : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed as inaccurate a report of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Singapore and comments by its deputy director Phil Robertson.

It said in a statement that the HRW January 2012 country report, which referred to detentions, freedom of speech and association, and civil rights, was inaccurate.

The report dismisses Singapore's "Submissions to the Human Rights Council" at the Universal Periodic Review (http://www.mfa.gov.sg/upr/), without dealing with the submissions, it said.

MFA said readers are encouraged to read the submissions and judge for themselves.

It said the HRW also made false assertions. For example, MFA said that contrary to assertions in the HRW news article carried on Yahoo!News Singapore, capital punishment is not prohibited by international law. A large number of countries, including many modern, developed countries (like the United States) impose the punishment.

In Singapore, MFA said, capital punishment has contributed to low rates of crime and drug use, and is overwhelmingly supported by Singaporeans.

"Statements in HRW's Report relating to detentions, freedom of speech and association, and the civil rights, as reported in your article, are likewise inaccurate, said Chong Wan Yieng, press secretary to the Minister of Law.

She pointed that Singapore's constitution guarantees the freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly.

Chong said the Singapore government is committed to creating and defending an environment where Singaporeans are secure, where their well-being is ensured, and where everyone can realise his or her full potential.

"Every society strikes its own balance between the rights of the individual and the society. National issues are openly debated in Parliament. Elections to Parliament are free and fair, and contested fiercely.

"Singapore's stability, public healthcare, education and security have made it one of the most livable cities in the world - Singaporeans enjoy dignity, welfare and security - much more so than many cities and countries which HRW seems to be happier with," she added. - Bernama