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 45626 - 45650 of 58160 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    "CEDAW recommended that Singapore take measures to bring about a change in
    attitudes with a view to eliminating stereotypes associated with traditional gender roles in
    the family and in society. It recommended that Singapore expand its current awareness raising efforts and training activities to leaders of political parties and senior managers in the private sector. CEDAW encouraged Singapore to work towards the practical realization of the principle of equality between women and men, as required under article 2 of the Convention, and not solely towards achievement of equality of opportunities. [Para 14]"
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Marital rape
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    "Joint Submission 3 (JS3) recommended that Singapore repeal the partial immunity for marital rape that remained in force in the Penal Code; amend Article 12(2) of the Constitution, so as to bar discrimination on the grounds of gender and sexuality; implement stronger protections for pregnant women against discriminatory employment practices;
    offer citizenship as of right to foreign women married to Singaporean men; review the application of inheritance laws to Muslim women. [Para 17]"
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Denmark

    Denmark
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    • Rights of same-sex desiring persons
    • Transgender persons' rights
    Type:
    Question
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    What is the Government’s position on the continued existence in Singapore of practices of so-called “conversion therapy” against LGBTI persons, and under what circumstances would the Government seek to ban such practices?
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    [CEDAW] recommended that the State guarantee the equal rights of women in all matters of inheritance and provide for the equal choice of adjudication between religious and civil law regimes. [Para 58]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    • Rights of same-sex desiring persons
    • Transgender persons' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    JS3 recommended that the Government develop a National Action Plan to specifically address LGBT+ bullying and mental health in schools, in collaboration with the LGBT+ community and healthcare organisations, to include clear reporting processes for victims. [Para 102]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CRC recommended that the State establish adequate and coordinated mechanisms to identify and protect child victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation and that it strengthen the capacity of police officers, border guards and social workers to identify and protect child victims. [Para 50]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Brazil

    Brazil
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify the ICESCR.
    Explanation
    Noted. We are unable to commit to ratifying any further treaties at this point. While Singapore may not be party to a particular human rights treaty yet, our outcomes are already fully or largely in compliance with its objectives.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Slovakia

    Slovakia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Consider ratifying the ICESCR.
    Explanation
    Singapore takes our treaty obligations seriously and we have a process under our IMC-HR to actively review our ability to ratify additional human rights treaties.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Greece

    Greece
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Sexual harassment
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ensure that victims of sexual harassment in the workplace have access to effective complaints procedures, protection measures and recourse to remedies.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Botswana

    Botswana
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen measures against trafficking, including investigating and identifying child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.
    Explanation
    Singapore enacted the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (PHTA) in 2015 to specifically combat trafficking in persons (TIP). The definition of TIP in the Act is aligned to that under the UN TIP Protocol.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Georgia

    Georgia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Take further measures in advancing women’s protection, interests, and development.
    Explanation
    Singapore’s approach to gender equality is founded on the principle of meritocracy where women in Singapore participate fully and equally in all spheres of life and at all levels. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, was elected into office.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Slovakia

    Slovakia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Enhance efforts to combat discrimination and violence against women.
    Explanation
    Singapore’s approach to gender equality is founded on the principle of meritocracy where women in Singapore participate fully and equally in all spheres of life and at all levels. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, was elected into office.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Spain

    Spain
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Amend Article 377A of the Penal Code to decriminalize homosexual relations between consenting adults, as previously recommended.
    Explanation
    Noted. Although Section 377A of the Penal Code remains in our statute books, it is not enforced. All Singapore citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, are free to pursue their activities in their private space. We firmly oppose discrimination and harassment and have laws to protect all our citizens from such conduct. We will continue to manage the issue of LGBT rights in a sensitive and pragmatic way, so as to protect the vulnerable, uphold the family and preserve the common space for the diverse communities in Singapore.

  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Thailand

    Thailand
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • Trafficking in women and / or girls
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Put in place measures to strengthen the protection of victims of trafficking: among others, to screen and protect victims of human trafficking instead of treating them as criminal offenders, to provide them with temporary shelters during legal proceedings, to support witness protection programs and to provide appropriate remedial measures other than deportation.

    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 78) We supported Recommendations 94.18-19, 95.4 and 96.33 because we do not condone any form of Trafficking In Persons (TIP) and we seek to protect victims who fall prey to this scourge.

    Para 79) We launched a National Plan of Action on TIP in 2012. This adopted a "4P" strategy to combat TIP - Prevention, Prosecution, Protection and Partnership. The InterAgency TIP Task Force has been implementing this plan, including securing a dedicated budget to fund various TIP efforts. It continues to work closely with other institutions, civil society and our international partners.

    Para 80) Prevention of Human Trafficking Act. Our Parliament passed the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act in November 2014, which took effect on 1 March 2015. This Bill was developed by Member of Parliament Mr Christopher de Souza with the support of the TIP Task Force, and after extensive consultations with civil society and the public.

    Para 81) This Act is an important additional tool for Singapore to deter and combat TIP. It clarifies the legal regime by providing a formal definition of TIP and prescribing severe penalties in a more targeted manner. Traffickers can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to S$100,000 for the first offence. The Court may also impose caning. We support these strong penalties because they serve as a strong deterrent against this serious crime. For cases involving children, this Act lowers the threshold of proof so that investigations can be initiated more easily.

    Para 82) This Act also supports our collaboration with external law enforcement agencies for cases involving persons trafficked to, or through, Singapore. Our law enforcement officers are now empowered to investigate intermediaries in the trafficking chain. This Act also provides measures to protect the welfare of trafficked victims and to encourage the reporting of trafficking or suspected trafficking activity through provisions to protect informers.

    Para 83) Singapore's recent efforts to combat TIP were positively noted in the June 2015 United Nations Secretary-General's report on TIP, which highlighted the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act and our work with NGOs to help businesses understand the implications of TIP for their supply chain management, among others. Most recently, Singapore acceded to the UN TIP Protocol in September 2015. This is an important step towards stronger cooperation with international law enforcement agencies. At the regional level, Singapore has worked closely with other ASEAN countries to conclude an ASEAN Convention to Combat, Prevent and Suppress TIP, which will be accompanied by a regional plan of action. This will improve regional capability to combat TIP and protect its victims.

    Para 84) Protection of and assistance for victims of trafficking. Singapore's approach to TIP is not just about having effective laws and enforcing them. We also emphasise increasing public awareness of the TIP issue and protecting victims, including removing barriers that may impede them from approaching our authorities for assistance. Regardless of how a victim of trafficking is identified, once a person claims to be a victim or is identified to be a victim due to the presence of elements of TIP, they will be treated as such. Under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, there are measures to protect victims such as mandatory in-camera court proceedings for child victims and media gag orders for proceedings involving sexual exploitation. We also extend assistance to all victims. The Government works with a network of NGOs to provide them with food, shelter, medical care, trauma counselling and repatriation assistance. The movement of victims at shelters is not restricted.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 22) While welcoming the establishment of the Inter-agency Task Force on Trafficking in Persons and the adoption of the definition of "trafficking in persons", the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women remained concerned at the continuing prevalence of trafficking in women and girls in the country, the alleged criminalization and deportation of trafficked women and girls as immigration offenders and the low reporting rate ...
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Moldova

    Moldova
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    CIS
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    ... Further consider the accession to OP-CRC-SC.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 60) Singapore is fully committed to our obligations under the CRC. We are currently considering accession to the OP-CRC-SC. Like the other treaties we accede to, we want to ensure that necessary legislation and resources are in place at the time of accession so that our obligations can be implemented immediately.

  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Poland

    Poland
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Partially Accepted
    Contents:
    Consider ratifying remaining core human rights treaties, namely: ICESCR, ICCPR, ICERD and CAT.
    Implementation
    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 1) AI noted that Singapore was yet to ratify the ICCPR and its OPs ... as recommended in the previous UPR.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Thailand

    Thailand
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Consider acceding to the ICCPR and ICESCR.
    Explanation
    Noted. About a quarter of the recommendations that we noted relate to the ratification of international human rights treaties. Singapore takes our treaty obligations seriously and engages actively with the relevant treaty bodies. We also have a process under our Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights to actively review Singapore's ability to ratify additional human rights treaties. Since we cannot prejudge the outcome of the review process, we are unable to commit ourselves to ratifying any of these specific treaties at this time, apart from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and 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), for which a review has already been completed. While Singapore may not be party to a particular human rights treaty yet, it does not mean that our outcomes are not already fully or largely in compliance with its objectives.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Senegal

    Senegal
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular its OP on the sale of children.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Norway

    Norway
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Issue:
    • Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Abolish section 377 A of the Penal Code.
    Explanation
    Noted. Section 377 A of the Penal Code on sodomy, which was inherited during the colonial history of Singapore, was not proactively enforced. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons were free to lead their lives. Parliament decided after an intense debate in 2007 to retain this law. The Prime Minister noted at that time that it was better to accept the legal untidiness and ambiguity of leaving the law as it was, and it would not be wise to force this issue by settling it one way or the other. Singapore firmly opposed discrimination and harassment, and did not discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex applicants to the civil service. The approach was "to live and let live", preserve the common space for all communities, and let society evolve gradually and decide collectively.
    Implementation
    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 12) JS3 stated that although section 377A of the Penal Code, criminalising consensual sexual behaviour between adult males, had not been enforced since the last universal periodic review of Singapore in 2016, its continued existence permitted the institutionalisation of discriminatory policies against not just gay men, but the whole lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) community.
    Para 40) JS4 stated that the stigma of being LGBTQ, associated with Penal Code Section 377A and media censorship, was a contributing factor in the failure to report or seek help when abused.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Colombia

    Colombia
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Marital rape
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Partially Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue working on the legislation on domestic violence crimes, particularly regarding the inclusion of a definition of sexual violence that also encompasses any non-consented sexual act within marriage
    Explanation
    There is a robust legislative framework that criminalises acts of domestic violence and acts of violence against women, under the Women's Charter, the Children and Young Persons Act and the Penal Code. We are also actively working towards repealing marital rape immunity.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 20) Enhancing protection against violence. Singapore has robust legislation criminalising violence under the Women’s Charter, the CYPA, the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), and the Penal Code. With effect from January 2020, we fully repealed marital immunity for rape and expanded the definition of rape to cover nonconsensual oral and anal penetration by the penis. We also enhanced penalties for a range of offences committed against persons vulnerable to harm, including children, domestic helpers, persons in intimate relationships with offenders, and persons with disabilities whose mental or physical disabilities render them substantially unable to protect themselves from abuse.
    Para 25) The Penal Code was amended in 2019 to double the maximum punishment for persons convicted of causing …, sexual offences, … against FDWs [Foreign Domestic Workers].
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Timor-Leste

    Timor-Leste
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Take further steps to improve equality between women and men.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 17) Increasing participation. Singapore actively supports women’s participation in politics and in public service. In 2017, Singapore’s first female President, Halimah Yacob, took office. In 2020, 28 out of 95 Members of Parliament (29%) were women, greater than the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s world average of 24.5%. Currently, we have nine women out of 37 political office-holders. Women also make up 53% of the Public Service (as of 2019). The Council for Board Diversity, formed in January 2019, promotes greater representation of women on boards of listed companies, statutory boards, and non-profit organisations.
    Para 18) Support for women in the society and family. Many women continue to shoulder many household and caregiving responsibilities. We have continued to enhance measures to promote sharing of domestic and family responsibilities, such as flexible work arrangements (FWAs). From 2018 to 2020, we committed more than S$200 million (US$152 million) in financial grants and developed practical guides to support employers in implementing and sustaining FWAs. Since 2017, fathers have enjoyed two weeks of paid paternity leave and can share up to four weeks of their spouses’ maternity leave. Under the national movement, “Dads for Life”, we have rolled out initiatives, such as “Dads@School”, to promote active fathering. Since 2017, single mothers also enjoy the same infant care and childcare subsidies and maternity leave as married mothers.
    Para 122) … Taking stock of our progress against international measures, Singapore ranks: … (f) 12th for gender equality in the 2019 UN Gender Inequality Index.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 107) MARUAH stated that women in Singapore were still under-represented politically and in the workforce, and recommended that the Government actively push for gender parity.
    Para 108) JS4 stated that Singapore did not have any policies that prohibited gender-based discrimination at the workplace.
    Para 109) JS6 stated that women were paid less than men for similar work performed, and that sectors where women were concentrated were often lowly-paid. Gender discrimination and the gender wage gap affected women’s retirement savings.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Trafficking in women and / or girls
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue efforts to combat human trafficking and to protect victims of such crimes, especially women and children.
    Implementation
    UN Compilation:
    Para 45) CEDAW remained concerned that the State continued to be a destination and transit country for trafficking in women and girls for purposes of sexual and labour exploitation.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS3 noted that Singapore continues to deport and ban people living with HIV/AIDS. [Para 39]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The CEDAW was particularly concerned that, despite the legal equality accorded to spouses, discriminatory traditional cultural attitudes that continued to utilize the "head of the household" concept, assigning that role to men, persisted. It called upon Singapore to eliminate patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes that discriminate against women. [Para 15]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

    Singapore
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Marginalized groups of women
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The CEDAW encouraged Singapore to repeal the law requiring a work-permit holder, including foreign domestic workers, to be deported on grounds of pregnancy or the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Within the Committee's follow-up framework, Singapore reported that such laws were necessary to protect the population. In 2014, the Committee requested follow-up information on the actions taken to repeal the law. [Para 40]