Singapore (Commonwealth Union)_ Singapore has backed 243 of the 342 recommendations it received during its latest United Nations human rights review, signaling support for measures covering migrant workers, children, women and other vulnerable groups. The recommendations were adopted following Singapore’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a UN process that examines the human rights records of member states. Accordingly, the recommendations supported by Singapore include stronger protection for migrant workers, greater support for children’s mental health, improved opportunities for women and better safeguards for people with disabilities and lower-income groups.
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Singapore’s support for 243 recommendations represents about 71 per cent of those it received, compared with 210 out of 324 recommendations accepted during its previous review in 2021. Singapore has described the UPR as an opportunity for open discussion and an exchange of ideas between countries. Its government has said that its approach to human rights is guided by pragmatism and the rule of law, while recognising that countries may take different approaches depending on their circumstances. During the 2026 review, Singapore also highlighted efforts involving workplace fairness, support for vulnerable groups and the welfare of migrant workers.
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Focus on migrant workers
Migrant worker protection was an important part of the recommendations. Singapore supported proposals concerning rest periods for foreign domestic workers, digital employment procedures and wage payments. It also backed recommendations aimed at improving working conditions, medical care, social protection, access to justice and protection against exploitation. However, Singapore did not accept every proposal. It rejected recommendations to fully extend certain employment and workplace injury laws to domestic workers, as well as proposals involving a state-run recruitment system. It also did not support recommendations concerning public holidays, regulated working hours and paid leave for foreign domestic workers, or calls to end mandatory pregnancy and HIV testing.
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Mental health and wider rights
Singapore also supported measures to expand school-based youth support services, improve awareness of mental health issues and develop community-based services. Other recommendations focused on protecting children and older people from online threats and ensuring access to essential services. The country also supported greater participation of women in public and political life and called for technology to be developed in line with human rights standards. At the same time, Singapore maintained its existing positions on issues including the death penalty, same-sex marriage and some proposed changes to laws concerning online falsehoods and public order. The government said it remains committed to implementing the 243 recommendations it has accepted.
