Singapore upholds international law on Hormuz Strait passage rights
Original framing: “Singapore says no negotiations for Hormuz safe passage; transit is ‘right, not privilege’” — South China Morning Post
The Hormuz Strait has been a contested passage since the 19th century, when British colonial powers established control over Gulf trade routes. The current legal framework is a post-colonial inheritance that reflects Western legal norms over indigenous and regional ones.
Singapore's stance on the Hormuz Strait reflects a broader struggle between maintaining international legal norms and the realities of geopolitical power.
By upholding the right of transit passage, Singapore aligns itself with a rules-based order that protects smaller states from coercion. However, this position must be balanced with the inclusion of indigenous and local knowledge, as well as the perspectives of regional actors like Iran and Gulf states. Historical patterns of Western legal dominance and colonial control over maritime routes highlight the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to international water governance. Future policy must integrate scientific, cultural, and environmental considerations to ensure sustainable and just management of the Hormuz Strait.