SINGAPORE-SOGI-TBs-CRC

Concluding Observations on Report 4-5 (2019) (Link)

Non-discrimination

19. The Committee is concerned about the persisting discrimination, either in law or in practice or both, against, inter alia, children without Singaporean citizenship, girls, children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children of unmarried couples and children of same-sex couples, as well as the lack of attention paid to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children.

20. Taking note of target 10.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure compliance with article 2 of the Convention by incorporating the principle of non-discrimination into its domestic legislation and conduct an in-depth revision of its legislation in order to fully guarantee non-discrimination in law and in practice, including the right to inheritance of children of unmarried parents and of girls covered by the Administration of Muslim Law Act;

(b) Adopt a proactive and comprehensive strategy containing specific and well-targeted actions, including affirmative social actions, to eliminate discrimination against children in marginalized or vulnerable situations, including children without Singaporean citizenship, girls, children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children of unmarried couples, children of same-sex couples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children;

(c) Combat discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, including by decriminalizing consensual same-sex sexual acts, implementing awareness-raising and educational activities for children, families and the public and providing sensitivity training for the relevant professionals, including teachers, social workers, personnel of childcare institutions and law enforcement officers, so that children are encouraged to report cases of discrimination and violence and reported cases are promptly and appropriately addressed;

(d) Involve communities and the public at large by making systematic efforts, in collaboration with the mass media, social networks and community and religious leaders, to combat and change discriminatory attitudes towards and practices concerning children in general and children in disadvantaged and marginalized situations in particular;

(e) Include segments on non-discrimination and equality in the mandatory school curriculum for children of all ages, adapt teaching materials and regularly train teachers accordingly.

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Adolescent health

36. The Committee welcomes the information that sex education is compulsory in schools but is concerned that it emphasizes abstinence, contains limited information on contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and lacks a gender perspective. Recalling its general comments No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention and No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence and taking note of target 5.6 of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Committee recommends that the State party adopt a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health policy for adolescents and ensure that the education is gender sensitive, does not discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and includes the use of contraception, including emergency contraception, and care and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

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Concluding Observations on Report 2-3 (2011) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (2003) (Link)

[no mention]

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