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SINGAPORE: Singapore supports initiatives against the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines, especially when they are used against innocent civilians.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean told Parliament that Singapore maintains the right to use anti-personnel mines for self-defence.
He was responding to Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim's questions on whether Singapore is working towards ratifying and acceding to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
She also wanted an update on the steps Singapore has taken to address the humanitarian concerns surrounding the use of anti-personnel land mines.
Mr Teo said Singapore is not a state party to the 1997 Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction.
However, he said, the country believes that humanitarian concerns related to anti-personnel mines should be balanced against the legitimate security concerns of states.
Mr Teo said Singapore will continue to support international efforts to resolve the humanitarian concerns over anti-personnel mines. It will also work with members of the international community towards a durable and truly global solution.
Singapore has also put in place since 1998, a moratorium on anti-personnel mine exports. Mr Teo said this moratorium covers all types of anti-personnel mines and is in place indefinitely.
- CNA/yt
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