DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR RELATIONS BILL

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DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR RELATIONS BILL: Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, this Bill seeks to enact the new Diplomatic and Consular Relations Act which gives force of law in Singapore to relevant provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963. This Bill will repeal the existing Consular Conventions Act (Cap. 52) and the Diplomatic Privileges (Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland) Act (Cap. 83) whose provisions

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will be superseded by the new Diplomatic and Consular Relations Act. The Bill will also make related amendments to the Income Tax Act (Cap. 134) and the Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 179).

Sir, Singapore is currently not a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, although we follow closely the provisions of both Conventions in our dealings with foreign missions in Singapore and in managing our overseas missions in other countries. The two Conventions are universally recognised as customary international laws governing the protection and granting of privileges and immunities by the receiving State to diplomatic and consular missions and members of the missions so as to facilitate the smooth functioning of the foreign missions in the receiving State. To bring ourselves in line with international practices, Singapore has decided to accede to both the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, as well as the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, without any reservations.

Sir, I would like to highlight two key features of the Bill. Under Article 6, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has the prerogative to extend certain privileges and immunities to certain persons as deemed appropriate though they are not covered under the provisions of the two Conventions. This provision will allow Singapore to accommodate the requirements of International Organisations for their staff to enjoy certain diplomatic privileges and immunities while in Singapore on temporary assignments. Sir, such a move will help promote Singapore as a diplomatic hub and, also, as an international arbitration centre. In addition, the Minister for Foreign Affairs also has the prerogative to withdraw

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certain diplomatic privileges and immunities from a foreign mission on the basis of reciprocity. The principle of reciprocity is enshrined in Article 47 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and Article 72 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and is a universally recognised practice in international relations.

Let me conclude, Sir, by saying that the passing of the Bill will put in place the necessary legislation for Singapore's accession to the two Conventions. Our accession will be one further demonstration of Singapore as a committed and responsible member of the international community.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

The Chairman: The citation year "2004" will be changed to "2005", as indicated in the Order Paper Supplement.

Clauses 1 to 11 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First and Second Schedules ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.