Singapore
| Right | Question | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Expression | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Freedom of expression was first asserted in Article 14(1) of Singapore’s 1963 Constitution. The right is subject to limitations on the grounds of security, public interest, and more. “Singapore 1963 (rev. 2016).” Constitute. Accessed July 12, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Singapore_2016?lang=en |
| Freedom of Association | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Freedom of Association is mentioned in Article 14.1.C. of the Constitution of Singapore 1965. Singapore gained independence in 1965 From the Malaysian Federation, and the Constitution was revised from the 1963 Constitution of the State of Singapore. It states that restictions may be imposed by any law relating to labour or education. Constitution of the Republic of Singapore. 1965. Singapore Statutes Online. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CONS1963?ProvIds=P14-#pr14- CIA World Factbook. Singapore https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/singapore/#government Constitution of the State of Singapore. 1963. https://media.bloomsburyprofessional.com/rep/files/singapore-constitution-1963.pdf |
| Freedom of Religion | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | The Constitution of Singapore was ratified on 22 December 1965. Articles 12, 15, 16, and 150.5(iii) grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article 153 grants a provision for a council to regulate Muslim affairs. Parliament of Singapore . “CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE.” Singapore Statutes Online. Last modified December 1, 2021. Accessed June 30, 2022. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CONS1963. The first assertion of the freedom of religion in the Republic of Singapore is in the first constitution of the Republic in 1959 after becoming independent from the United Kingdom. The right is detailed in article 15; which also details that a person may not be compelled to pay taxes for religious purposes outside his own religion as well as generally describing the freedoms of each religious group. It is important to note Singapore also records the same article in the 1963/1965 Constitution after being expelled from Malaysia. Republic of Singapore. 1959. “Singapore’s Constitution of 1959 with Amendments through 2010.” Constitute Project. 1959. https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/sin132840.pdf. ———. 1965. “Constitution of the Republic of Singapore - Singapore Statutes Online.” Sso.agc.gov.sg. 1965. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CONS1963?ValidDate=20230424. The Republic of Singapore. 1963. “Singapore 1963 (Rev. 2016) Constitution - Constitute.” Www.constituteproject.org. 1963. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Singapore_2016. |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | According to the Constitution of Singapore, citizens vote in two types of elections, parliamentary and presidential. Citizens of Singapore can vote once they are 21 years of age. (Constitute Project, “Singapore’s Constitution of 1963 with Amendments through 2016”). |
| Freedom of the Press | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | Singapore’s 1963 Constitution contains no protection for press freedom, but does protect freedom of speech and expression (Constitute Project, “Singapore’s Constitution of 1963 with Amendments through 2016”). |
| Privacy Rights | What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right? | No part of the constitution mentions a right to privacy (Privacy International, “The Right to Privacy in Singapore”). There are also no specific laws governing privacy within the state. https://privacyinternational.org/sites/default/files/2017-12/Singapore_UPR_PI_submission_FINAL.pdf |