A/HRC/32/17 assert its majoritarian status, which helped to preserve the common space for all Singaporeans. 8. The Ambassador said that the Government treasured every Singaporean. She also said that Singapore focused on the basics in the first three decades of its nationhood: security, fair opportunities for a good education, stable jobs and homeownership. In the previous 10 years, in response to a widening income gap due to globalization and the technological revolution, more was done to ensure social mobility and provide assurance for older Singaporeans, to ensure that Singapore remained an inclusive society. 9. She said that the Government remained committed to, and invested in, the relentless task of caring for Singaporeans and protecting their fundamental rights, independent of any United Nations human rights review. Singapore was determined to remain a multiracial, fair and just society, with a culture of self-reliance and mutual support, as well as sustain the bond of trust between the Government and its people that had been developed over the previous 50 years. Good governance and a forward-looking outlook were the other key ingredients for the success of Singapore. 10. She noted that Singaporean society was changing. The Government had implemented several new policies since its previous review to enhance social protection and strengthen social harmony, such as MediShield Life, the Pioneer Generation Package, and an enabling master plan for persons with disabilities. In July 2013, Singapore ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; in 2015, it signed the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; also in 2015, Singapore acceded to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol). 11. The Ambassador said that, while the principles of governance of Singapore, how it protected human rights and preserved social harmony, might not fully conform to how other societies had organized themselves, Singapore had to take a practical and not an ideological approach to human rights. She noted that countries in the West had to review some of their more liberal policies because they proved inadequate in dealing with contemporary manifestations of terrorism, extremism and immigration. Every country should therefore be given the time and space to deal with its own development and advance human rights in its own way, taking into account its unique social and cultural context. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 12. During the interactive dialogue, 113 delegations Recommendations made during the dialogue are in section II below. made statements. 13. Nepal praised investment in education and health. It welcomed the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the signing of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and encouraged Singapore to consider ratifying the remaining core international human rights instruments. 14. The Netherlands was willing to share experiences with Singapore on developing a national action plan on business and human rights. It expressed concern about executions and new death sentences since the previous review. 15. Israel welcomed the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, the Protection from Harassment Act, the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, MediShield Life, and measures regarding senior citizens and employment of persons with disabilities. 16. Nicaragua highlighted the priority given to and high investment in education and health, and improvements in the quality of life of persons with disabilities. 4