A/HRC/32/17 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-fourth session from 18 to 29 January 2016. The review of Singapore was held at the 16th meeting, on 27 January 2016. The delegation of Singapore was headed by Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chan Heng Chee. At its 18th meeting, held on 29 January 2016, the Working Group adopted the report on Singapore. 2. On 12 January 2016, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Singapore: Botswana, Ecuador and Maldives. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Singapore: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/SGP/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/SGP/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in acordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/24/SGP/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Liechtenstein, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America was transmitted to Singapore through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The Permanent Representative of Singapore, Foo Kok Jwee, said that his country supported and remained committed to the universal periodic review process. It provided a framework for all States to have a conversation on their human rights achievements and challenges on equal terms. The review allowed Singapore to listen to others’ views, take stock of progress and engage its citizens and civil society, to achieve its goal of building a fair and inclusive society. 6. He noted that the review was also an opportunity for States to share their best practices and experiences. Singapore would share how it managed the enduring challenges of dealing with primordial and visceral forces of race, language and religion in its diverse society, while trying to overcome its developmental and social challenges. 7. The head of the Singaporean delegation, Ms. Chan, said that the heart of the Singapore story was finding the right political, economic and social strategies for broadly uplifting all communities in Singapore. Singapore was a multiracial society with different languages, religions and cultures. Its social harmony did not happen by chance but by deliberate choices and policies. Each community was prepared to accommodate others and not insist on its own primacy. Crucially, the majority Chinese community agreed not to 3