Public Consultation on Singapore's Periodic Report on The UNCRC

Ministry of Social and Family Development

Consultation Period: 28 Aug 2017 - 15 Sep 2017

Status: Closed - Summary of Responses

Consultation Outcome

Singapore has submitted its Fourth and Fifth Periodic Report (“Report”) to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in November 2017. The Report covers Singapore’s progress in implementing its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) between 2009 and 2016.

2 The Report affirms Singapore’s commitment to protect and promote the wellbeing of our children in line with the principles of the UNCRC. The Report also outlines Singapore’s progress in enhancing the rights of children through improving the protection, care and holistic development of children. The Report emphasises the collective effort of the community and the Government in safeguarding and promoting children’s rights in Singapore. It also addresses the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on Singapore’s Second and Third Periodic Report.

Feedback Gathered through an Inclusive Consultation Process

3 As part of the Report preparation process, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) invited relevant stakeholders to participate in roundtable discussions in March 2017 on pertinent child-related issues. MSF also invited members of the public to provide feedback on the draft Report from August to September 2017 through REACH.

4 MSF received valuable feedback from Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), tertiary students and other members of the public during these consultations. Members of the public acknowledged that children in Singapore today have benefitted from the greater support given to parents to care for their children from an early age, such as through the KidSTART pilot. The comments also highlighted that the enhanced support given to children involved in police investigations has improved and made the processes more child-centric.

5 MSF also received positive comments for its efforts to support victims of child abuse and their families through customised services and diversified out-of-home care options, such as the Safe and Strong Family pilot and Small Group Homes respectively.

6 VWOs recognised the stronger public education efforts against child abuse and bullying, and suggested that these efforts be expanded further. Hence, besides making reference to the introduction of the Protection from Harassment Act, the Report also includes information on measures that Singapore is taking to spread awareness against bullying.

7 There were also suggestions on areas where the Government could further improve our policies on rehabilitation, address challenges in the digital era and protect children from falling prey to sexual abuse and grooming through the Internet. We also note the views to have more inclusive public housing provisions for single parents, and requests for greater support to recover maintenance for children affected by divorce.

Continued Partnership with Stakeholders to Protect and Promote Children’s Rights in Singapore

8 MSF would like to thank stakeholders and members of the public who provided feedback. We will continue to work with stakeholders as part of our ongoing efforts to protect and promote the rights of children in Singapore. We will build on the good progress made, and invest even more in the early childhood sector. We will also put in more support for children from low income and vulnerable families, so that they have better access to basic health, learning, and developmental opportunities in the critical early years.

9 The Report can be viewed here.

ISSUED BY
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Annex to UNCRC summary report

Detailed Description

INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Social and Family Development invites the public to give feedback on the draft 4th and 5th Periodic Report on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

BACKGROUND

2 The UNCRC is a treaty which comprehensively provides for the rights of children. It sets out standards for healthcare, education, legal and social services for children. It also affirms four basic principles: a child’s right not to be discriminated against, a child’s right to survival and development, a child’s right to be protected and participate actively in his/her community, and for the best interests of the child to be the primary consideration in all decisions and actions affecting the child.

3 Singapore acceded to the UNCRC in October 1995. Singapore also ratified the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in December 2008. The Convention requires States Parties to periodically submit reports to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (“the Committee”), on measures taken to give effect to the rights recognised under the UNCRC and on the progress made on the enjoyment of those rights. Singapore submitted its Initial Report in 2003 and the 2nd and 3rd Periodic Report in 2009. The Report is for the reporting period of 2009 - 2016.

SUMMARY OF KEY AREAS OF PROGRESS

5 The key areas of progress in the Report demonstrate how legislative, administrative and programme improvements are made in the best interests of the child, to ensure that children’s rights are enjoyed. Some of the major progress areas are in Table 1.

Table 1: Key Areas of Progress on the Rights of the Child

REPORT CONTENTS

6 Details on the key progress and relevant statistics can be found in the Report and its annexes. The Report also addresses the concluding observations made by the Committee after Singapore’s last periodic report.

INVITATION FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK

7 The Inter-Ministry Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (IMC-CRC) welcomes public feedback, and seeks views on where Singapore’s progress may be further amplified or which areas could be improved.

PERIOD OF CONSULTATION

8 The period of consultation is from 28 August 2017 to 15 September 2017.

FEEDBACK

9 Members of the public are welcome to submit comments on the draft Periodic Report by emailing their feedback to: UNCRC_consultation@msf.gov.sg by 1800 hours, 15 September 2017.

Draft UNCRC 4th / 5th Periodic Report [PDF, 822 KB]

Annex A and B on Public Engagements and Further Information [PDF, 450 KB]

Annex C on Statistics [PDF, 871 KB]

2011 Concluding Observations [PDF, 100 KB]