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 47026 - 47050 of 58126 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Zambia

    Zambia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Harmonize the South African legislation to ensure that the minimum age for marriage is established at 18 years for both boys and girls
    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:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that South Africa develop policies aimed at addressing the multiple discrimination and violence faced by girls, based on the intersection between violence and HIV/AIDS. [Para 43]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    Recommended that the Department of Basic Education and the South African Council for Educators act jointly in disciplining educators who had committed such acts (sexual violence against girls) and impose disciplinary sanctions against teachers or principals who failed to report cases. [Para 50; Special Rapporteur on violence against women]
  • 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:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    ... At this level [primary education], almost the same proportion of boys of school-going age as girls of school-going age, is attending school. [Para 33]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    • Transgender persons' rights
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    JS3 noted that violence against transgender and intersex persons was underpinned by societal stigma; and that they faced obstacles and discrimination when attempting to alter their legal sex description. Human rights violations experienced by intersex children due to non-consensual treatments were highlighted. JS3 recommended public condemnation of all forms of transphobic and intersexphobic violence; and the enactment of protective legislation, regulations and policies in the spheres of crime prevention, education and access to healthcare. [Para 26]
  • 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:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The ILO Committee of Experts asked the Government to consider amending the Employment Equity Act so as to provide expressly for equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. [Para 42]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    Improve the functioning of current sexual offence courts, and establish new courts throughout the country [Para 71]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    ... AI recommended that all government departments be involved in developing and implementing plans aimed at reducing physical and cost barriers to access HIV-related health services in rural areas. [Para 70]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Romania

    Romania
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify ICESCR.
    Explanation
    South Africa appreciates and welcomes this recommendation. The Government is currently looking at the appropriate structure which can be used as an "implementing agent" to coordinate the various rights resorting under this important instrument. The Government's position is very clear that the enjoyment of civil and political rights is meaningless unless these rights are inextricably linked to economic, social and cultural rights.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex 1:
    The Foreword to the present Report signed by the President confirms the primacy of the ratification of these Covenants by the South African government.

    Undoubtedly, and by constitutional imperatives, South Africa places a premium on economic, social and cultural rights and hence the ratification of the ICESCR and its Optional Protocol is of high importance. The internal government processes are advancing and it is envisaged that with the collaboration of all government actors, including oversight parliamentary committees, the South African government should be in a position to ratify the ICESCR and its Optional Protocol as soon as possible.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 2) UNICEF noted that South Africa had not ratified ICESCR, although having signed it in 1994. The Special Rapporteur on the right to food recommended that the Government ratify that Convention.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 15) International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) recommended that South Africa become a party to ICESCR; OP-CAT; CED and ICRMW; and that it sign, with a view to ratification, the third Optional Protocol to CRC.

    Para 16) Amnesty International (AI) the Community Law Centre (CLC) and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) 26 recommended ratification of ICESCR and its Optional Protocol.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    SAHRC indicated that the government has placed a significant emphasis on the provision of services to rural areas. However, there are still some rural households that are without adequate housing, water, sanitation, and electricity. Additionally, many rural residents are unable to access government services, including medical services, due to lack of transportation. This has many disturbing implications, including in the areas of female reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. HRW recommended that a pro-poor public health care system must be developed, with upgraded public health care infrastructure, capacitated and trained staff, and increased funding. [Para 27]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Ukraine

    Ukraine
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    CIS
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify the OP-CRC-IC and the OP-ICESCR.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Nepal

    Nepal
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue measures to prevent HIV infections and ensure infected persons' access to affordable medicines.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Azerbaijan

    Azerbaijan
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    OIC
    CIS
    Issue:
    • Marginalized groups of women
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Accelerate its efforts to promote and create necessary conditions for the full enjoyment of human rights by women, in particular for vulnerable women across the country.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Lesotho

    Lesotho
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Redouble efforts to combat domestic violence against women and children.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Syria

    Syria
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Exert further efforts to address violence against women and femicide, in implementation of the Presidential Summit Declaration issued in 2019 and the National Strategic Plan to Prevent Gender based Violence and Femicide 2020-2030.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Czechia

    Czechia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Take further steps to implement the National strategic plan to combat gender based violence and femicide, including by providing adequate financial support to shelters for survivors.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Panama

    Panama
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Question
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    What legislative and policy measures are being implemented to guarantee non-discrimination against persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and older persons?
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Palestine

    Palestine
    Regional group
    Observer
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    To consider ratifying the ICESCR and its OPs.
    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:

    Ukraine

    Ukraine
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    CIS
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Take measures improving the security of citizens and enhancing protection of particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
    Explanation
    The South African government is a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. At the inauguration of the fourth administration of the South African government in May 2009, President GJ Zuma established a fully fledged department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities. This Ministry carries the national mandate to ensure the mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities in all the governments programs at all spheres. Particular emphasis is placed on women, particularly those in rural areas who, have been identified as care-givers who play a critical role in community development and are the primary recipients of the above programmes. The government in its Zero Hunger programmes including Integrated Food Security Strategy targets persons with disabilities as key beneficiaries.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998 provides sanctions against domestic violence.

    Key law reforms undertaken to address gender and sexual violence:
    • Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007;
    • Protection from Harassment Act, 2011 (Act 17 of 2011);
    • Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013; and
    • Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act, 2013.
    The conviction rate relating to sexual offences in 2014/15 stood at 69%; and in the first quarter 71.1% conviction rate.
  • 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
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Rigorously apply the legislation against gender violence and sexual violence, especially against girls and boys.
    Explanation
    Access to justice is entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa, national legislation, policies and programmes. Several measures have been put in place to particularly ensure women's access to justice e.g. National Access to Justice Week held during women's month (August) every year, 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children, Multi-disciplinary care-centres for victims of sexual offences and crime (Thuthuzela care centres). The primary purposes of these programmes are to ensure maximum protection of victims, provision of adequate remedies to victims including combating impunity with the view to ensuring non-recurrence. Additionally victim-friendly rooms, shelters for abused women, counselling services for victims of abuse, family violence, child protection and sexual offences units have been established.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    FULL IMPLEMENTATION

    The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998) provides sanctions against domestic violence.

    Key law reforms undertaken to address gender and sexual violence:
    • Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007;
    • Protection from Harassment Act, 2011 (Act 17 of 2011);
    • Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013; and
    • Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act, 2013.
    The conviction rate relating to sexual offences in 2014/15 stood at 69%; and in the first quarter 71.1% conviction rate.
  • 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:
    • Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Consolidate its strategies and programmes to reduce the phenomenon of maternal and child mortality.
    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.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    Despite expansion of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, The National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) was established to monitor and recommend solutions to reduce maternal mortality. The Committee is responsible for investigating every maternal death, with respect to primary and final causes of death, and the care that was given. Recommendations for the care of pregnant mothers are then made in a report provided to the Minister of Health. Strategies for reducing maternal mortality are made on the basis of this report.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Abortion
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    Two Committees recommended that the Government ensure that women had adequate access to health care, particularly sexual and reproductive health services such as abortion, and to information about sexual and reproductive health and rights, ... [Para 43]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sex work / "prostitution"
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    • Right to health
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    HRW recommended that the Government increase funding to shelters, finalize the draft Intersectoral Shelter Policy, and train shelter staff to prevent discrimination. JS9 and JS12 recommended to decriminalise sex work. JS9 recommended to enact policy or legislation to protect sex workers and ensure healthcare access. JS12 recommended to introduce sex worker rights into police training curricula. [Para 56]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CEDAW recommended that the Government address the legal and institutional framework, including to criminalize all forms of domestic violence and femicide; law enforcement, including to exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate and punish domestic violence; access to justice; victim support; prevention and awareness-raising; and accountability and data collection, including to monitor implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. [Para 52]
  • 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:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify OP-CRC-IC
    Explanation
    Recommendation noted.
    ‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage.

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