UPR Sexual Rights Database

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UN Member State that is reviewed on its human rights record as part of the UPR process.

Categories of the types of information used during reviews

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Source of Reference

Recommending State

UN Member State or Permanent Observer making sexual rights related recommendations, comments or asking questions to the State under Review.

Review Documentation

Sources of information used as the basis for a State’s review.  Includes the State’s National Report, UN Compilation Report and a Stakeholder Summary.

UN Regional Group to which State under Review belongs.

UN Regional Group to which Recommending State belongs.

This will only match recommendations where the Source of Review is a State.

Implementation notes

State responses to recommendations and issues raised in the UN Compilation and Stakeholder summary.

Displaying 47101 - 47125 of 58160 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CESCR ... recommeded that South Africa intensify efforts to close the gap, address occupational segregation, and ensure that the principle of equal pay for work of equal value was incorporated into labour laws and collective agreements. ... [Para 28]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    LRC-Edu recommended that South Africa ensure that teacher training addresses negative stereotypes about girls’ abilities, remove stereotypes in the curriculum, and adopt regulations to provide sanitary products. HRW recommended ensuring that pregnant students are supported to complete secondary education. [Para 46]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    The Government remains acutely aware that the level of poverty among vulnerable groups such as women and children is higher than the poverty levels for the general population. [Para 94]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    • Forced marriage
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS17 and UPR-BCU recommended that the Government reform cultural attitudes that perpetuate early marriage, ensure that law enforcement implements the laws prohibiting child and forced marriages, and capacitate traditional authorities to combat child marriages. UPR-BCU recommended to harmonize all marriage laws to delineate a minimum age of 18 years. [Para 59]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Portugal

    Portugal
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify OP-ICESCR
    Explanation
    Recommendation noted.
    ‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Algeria

    Algeria
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue programmes to fight HIV/AIDS
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Philippines

    Philippines
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Prevent and combat all forms of discrimination and eliminate violence against women, including domestic violence
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Spain

    Spain
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Render operational and grant adequate resources to the National Council against Gender-Based Violence and develop a multisectoral national strategic plan on this issue
    Explanation
    Recommendation noted.
    ‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Haiti

    Haiti
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    ACS
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Harmonize legislation in order to ensure that the minimum age of marriage is increased to 18 years for boys and girls, without exception
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Portugal

    Portugal
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Review its relevant legislation and regulations on birth registration to ensure their full conformity with the CRC
    Explanation
    Recommendation noted.
    ‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
    • HIV and AIDS
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    In order to pursue the government's objective of equity and equality of outcomes in human capital a range of health programmes have been designed and implemented by the DOH since 1994, viz.:
    i. Free health care for children under six and for pregnant and lactating women at public clinics and health centres Provision of essential drugs in all PHC facilities based on the Essential Drug List (EDL) Maternal and child health services through access to quality antenatal , delivery and postnatal services for all women is offered free at the point of delivery;
    viii. A comprehensive National HIV&AIDS and STI Programme which includes mass education, the ABC campaign, condom distribution, Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Home base care, nutritional education and support, treatment of opportunistic infections, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, vaccine development initiative, and antiretroviral treatment;
    x. Treatment of cancer of the cervix ... [Para 57]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern that criminal law did not address all acts and activities relating to the sale of children as defined in the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OP-CRC-SC), such as engaging a child in forced labour, and recommended that South Africa ensure that all acts and activities referred to in the Optional Protocol were covered in its criminal law. [Para 33]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The Committee on the Rights of the Child was concerned at the heightened health risks to which adolescents were exposed to, including the disproportionately high rates of HIV infection due to a lack of access to adolescent-friendly services. It recommended that South Africa enhance the effective implementation of sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes for adolescents. [Para 45]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    It urged South Africa to harmonize its legislation to ensure that the minimum age for marriage was established at 18 years for both girls and boys. [Para 59; CRC]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CSVR indicated that a lack of understanding of the extent of the problem of gender-based violence (GBV) and inaccurate statistics continued to inhibit effective responses. [Para 67]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Portugal

    Portugal
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify ICESCR and sign its OP allowing the right of individual petition.
    Explanation
    There is heightened awareness and commitment on the part of government to step up its national program of ratification of these instruments. The President of the Republic in his foreword to the 2nd South African UPR Report has reiterated this commitment.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    ICESCR ratified in 2015 and came into force on 12 April 2015.
    Optional Protocols have not been ratified.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 2) The United Nations country team noted the ratification by South Africa of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2015...

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 2) The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) indicated that the Government had ratified ICESCR in 2015...
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    No Response
    Contents:
    Step up efforts to eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    In order to improve handling of rape cases by Police the SAPS makes use of specialized investigative units called Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS). FCS investigators receive specialised training in dealing with sexual offences investigations and cases involving children addition to training as investigators. SAPS has developed the Human Rights in Policing Learning Programmes and has been conducting training on same from 1998 to all law enforcement officials.

    The SAPS has developed National Instructions on the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act in order to provide clear policy directives for the police in support of members to improve service delivery to victims. The NPA (facilitated by SOCA), in line with Act 32 of 2007 also developed directives for prosecutors on how best to deal with sexual offences in the criminal justice system.

    Capacity building and training of the SAPS members is an on-going process commencing in basic training. The SAPS engages in public awareness and education campaigns with the purpose of creating a greater awareness of the relevant legislation and government‘s commitment to eradicating violence.

    A number of new policy frameworks were also introduced and implemented, including the Child Justice National Policy Framework, the Restorative Justice National Policy Framework (including forming linkages with traditional justice), the Social Crime Prevention Strategy and the Diversion Accreditation Framework. Government has also adopted a Plan of Action to combat violence against women and children.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    Women continue to be brought in from a neighbouring country for "use as sex partners and domestic servants without remuneration". [Para 10; UNFPA, International Organization for Migration]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Uruguay

    Uruguay
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Establish national policies aimed at putting an end to violence and crimes motivated by ... sexual orientation or identity, through the approval of laws that explicitly criminalize violence against people or property.
    Explanation
    A Policy Framework on Combating Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Unfair Discrimination is at an advanced stage of finalisation. This is currently serving in the Top Structures of government where after it will be taken on an intensive national consultative process. Consequently these processes will inform national legislation which is expected to be promulgated within the 2013-2014 Parliamentary calendar. The development of this policy integrates international norms and standards.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    FULL IMPLEMENTATION

    A National Task Team (“NTT”) was established by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) to counter the continued discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity against members of the LGBTI community. The DoJ&CD launched the National LGBTI Programme and issued terms of reference for a National Intervention Strategy to address violence based on gender and sexual orientation. The DoJ&CD also issued terms of reference for the rapid response team to fast track cases in the criminal justice system in a bid to endorse the government’s commitment to combat discrimination against LGBTI persons.
    When the NTT was re-established in May 2013, the DoJ&CD together with representatives from National Human Rights Institutions and civil society organisations set out to achieve a number of tasks. These included, amongst others, to develop a National Intervention Strategy to respond to, and prevent, gender and sexual orientation-based violent crimes perpetrated against LGBTI persons and to develop an Inter-sectoral Implementation Plan. The NTT undertook to strengthen government’s ability to respond to LGBTI needs and to strengthen the capacity of CSOs to deliver related services.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Canada

    Canada
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    OAS
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Take measures to address inequities in access to HIV/AIDS treatment and support, particularly in rural areas
    Explanation
    Most of the recommendations have already been implemented through national legislation and policy programmes. The Department of Social Development is in charge of implementing Social Development Programmes, which among others provides for social security and safety nets and other important services such as social grants for persons living with HIV and AIDS and other debilitating illnesses.
    Implementation
    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 13) SAHRC noted progress in addressing HIV/AIDS, in line with UPR recommendations 12, 13 and 14. In April 2010, a new AIDS treatment policy and awareness campaign had been launched. As part of the campaign, 14 million people had been counselled and over 13.5 million tested for HIV, which represented a six-fold increase in the number of people tested over the previous year. Those found HIV-positive were referred for further support and care. However, although South Africa had a large antiretroviral therapy (ARV) programme, access to treatment was still a challenge. At the end of 2009, an estimated 37 per cent of all infected persons were receiving treatment.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Morocco

    Morocco
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    OIF
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Intensify its efforts in the context of attaining MDGs related to health in particular objective 6 concerning fighting HIV /AIDS, in particular objective 6 concerning fighting HIV/AIDS, in particular in the context of the Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Treatment and Prevention Strategy and the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV.
    Explanation
    The government entered into a partnership on 9 August 2011, known as MDGs Acceleration Framework (MAF) to specifically focus on those MDGs presenting challenges of attainment by 2015. These include MDGs 4, 5 and 6. This partnership has already begun to show signs of positive trajectory. South Africa has submitted progress reports to the United Nations in 2005 and 2010 outlining the country's consolidated achievements towards attaining the MDGs. A National Programme involving all multi-stakeholders was initiated on 21 June 2012 in national preparation for the 3rd and last MDGs report to the UN prior to 2015.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 47) To deal with the challenges of HIV and the wide-ranging impacts of AIDS, the Government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach. During 2011, the South African National AIDS Council, in which Government, business, labour and civil society are represented, reviewed the implementation of these strategic plans and developed a comprehensive prevention, care and treatment programme for the next five-year plan (for the period 2012–2016).

    Para 48) South Africa has the largest ARV therapy programme in the world, today. At the end of March 2016, there were 3 407 336 clients remaining on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Prevention is the mainstay of efforts to combat HIV and AIDS. Since the HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign was introduced in 2010, over 44 million people have been tested. A total of 11,898,308 people between the ages of 15 and 49 years were tested, exceeding the annual target of 10 million for the financial year 2015/16.

    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    By 2010, South Africa had made significant progress in achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS by those who need it. The proportion of eligible adults and children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) leapt from 58.3% in 2010, to 75.2% in 2011 and ART coverage for HIV positive pregnant women also leapt from 87.3% to 99%. In 2013, 2.3 million South Africans were on antiretroviral treatment making it the largest programme in the world.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Algeria

    Algeria
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Further intensify its efforts to decrease the HIV/AIDS prevalence in the context of its National Health Charter, with a special focus on teenagers
    Explanation
    Most of the recommendations have already been implemented through national legislation and policy programmes. The Department of Social Development is in charge of implementing Social Development Programmes, which among others provides for social security and safety nets and other important services such as social grants for persons living with HIV and AIDS and other debilitating illnesses.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex 1:
    To reduce HIV infections among the youth, specific interventions have been integrated in broader programmes in the context of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan. Specifically, a Youth and Adolescent Friendly Health Services (YFS) programme is being implemented in all primary health facilities. This programme ensures that youth friendly services are provided.

    Significant financial support is provided to NGOs and numerous youth friendly initiatives to enhance youth friendly HIV prevention messages through media such as radio, television. These programmes have successfully reached large sectors of the youth.

    The Department of Health and the Department of Basic Education, with the Department of Social Development have developed an Integrated School Health Policy and Implementation Plan. This programme will proactively use disease prevention strategies at school through screening for common problems.

    Rural areas and informal settlements have been prioritised for the deployment of the Primary Health Care teams, the poorest districts have been prioritised with respect to strengthening school health teams and the worst performing districts with respect to maternal and child health outcomes have been prioritised with respect to deployment of the clinical specialist teams. It should be noted that the major contributor to poor maternal and child health is HIV.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 48) CEDAW noted with deep concern that South Africa continued to face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic, and that women and girls were disproportionately affected. It was also concerned about the prevalence of HIV-related stigma, which places women living with HIV at risk of being subjected to violence and discrimination. It called on South Africa to ensure the implementation of the Maternal Child and Women's Health Strategy (2009-2014); and to take sustained measures to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 13) SAHRC noted progress in addressing HIV/AIDS, in line with UPR recommendations 12, 13 and 14. In April 2010, a new AIDS treatment policy and awareness campaign had been launched. As part of the campaign, 14 million people had been counselled and over 13.5 million tested for HIV, which represented a six-fold increase in the number of people tested over the previous year. Those found HIV-positive were referred for further support and care. However, although South Africa had a large antiretroviral therapy (ARV) programme, access to treatment was still a challenge. At the end of 2009, an estimated 37 per cent of all infected persons were receiving treatment.

    Para 25) JS1 commended the Government for working with civil society to create a platform for children and youth to provide input into the new National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS (2012-2016). This addressed UPR recommendations made in 2008.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Tunisia

    Tunisia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Work to secure drinking water and decent sanitation services for all on the basis of equality, especially for women and children and in schools in disadvantaged areas.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Benin

    Benin
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Intensify the fight against gender-based violence and the sexual exploitation of women, particularly in schools.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Iraq

    Iraq
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen efforts to close the wage gap between men and women, through legislative amendments of labor laws in order to ensure the principle of equal pay for work of equal value.

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