Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 38th Session

Universal Periodic Review of Singapore

Statement by Australia

12 May 2021

Australia welcomes Singapore's engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

Australia commends Singapore on its legislative reforms to better protect children and its ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Australia also welcomes Singapore's development of a White Paper on gender equality.

Australia recommends that Singapore:

1. Re-establish a moratorium on executions and publish disaggregated data.
2. Make the decision not to issue a 'certificate of cooperation' for drug offences, subject to judicial review.
3. Repeal Section 377A of the Singapore Penal Code, remove restrictions on LGBTI-related content, and enact anti-discrimination legislation.
4. Improve long-term protections for migrant workers and foreign domestic workers, including by extending labour protections, addressing wage discrimination and increasing job mobility.