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 45401 - 45425 of 58126 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Argentina

    Argentina
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
    • Female genital mutilation / cutting
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Completely eradicate the female genital mutilation, promulgating and launching awareness-raising campaigns and a national debate on the harmful effects of this practice on girls, women and the society at large.
    Explanation
    Noted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.

  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Fiji

    Fiji
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    PIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
    • Female genital mutilation / cutting
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Intensify efforts to fully eliminate Female Genital Mutilation through progressive law reforms that prohibit the practice in all its forms and awareness-raising campaigns on the harmful effects of the practice on girls, women and wider society.
    Explanation
    Noted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.

  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Female genital mutilation / cutting
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Develop a National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence and enact a specific law to prohibit female genital mutilation.
    Explanation
    Noted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.

  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Mauritius

    Mauritius
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Consider ratifying the CRPD.
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Costa Rica

    Costa Rica
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Sexual abuse
    • Marital rape
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen accountability mechanisms to address sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls, including sexual abuse and marital rape.
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Cambodia

    Cambodia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    • Empowerment of women
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue taking measures to further enhance education for development of human capital to facilitate the transformation of women’s empowerment, health improvement, creation of employment and other sectors.
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    "The twin policies of MSWGCA the National Gender Plan and National Act Plan on United Nations Resolution 1325 and 1820 both launched in 2010. [Para 30]"
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Sexual violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    "The area of policing through a family friendly way the Family Support Unit was established in 2001 within the Sierra Leone Police to address sexual and domestic violence. The success of this programme is been lauded with appeals for the creation of more of the units nationwide. [Para 91]"
  • State Under Review:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    "CGG recommended that the Government should domesticate all aspects of CEDAW and other instruments that promote and protect the rights of women. [Para 7]"
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Uruguay

    Uruguay
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Strengthen its commitment to the principle of non-discrimination by repealing Section 377A of the Penal Code to fully decriminalize consensual sexual relations between two adults of the same sex.
    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:

    France

    France
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ensure gender-equality is enshrined in the Constitution.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Slovenia

    Slovenia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Partially Accepted
    Contents:
    Consider ratifying core international human rights treaties to which Singapore is not yet a party (ICCPR, ICESCR, ICERD), OP-CEDAW, OP-CRC-SC... OP-CRPD.
    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

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 1) AI noted that Singapore was yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its Optional Protocols ... as recommended in the previous UPR.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The Independent Expert on older persons called upon the Government to criminalize explicitly all acts of domestic violence. [Para 77]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Sudan

    Sudan
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Partially Accepted
    Contents:
    Accede to the following human rights instruments: ... the 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:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Sexual abuse
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    Strengthening legislation to protect children and youth. Children’s rights and protections are contained in the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA), the Women’s Charter and the Penal Code. We amended the Penal Code in 2019 to strengthen protection for children and youths against sexual exploitation. In particular, we introduced:
    (a) Offences to criminalise the production, distribution, advertising, and
    possession of child abuse material;
    (b) Offences to criminalise sexual communication with or sexual activity in front
    of a minor;
    (c) An offence relating to exploitative sexual activity with minors from 16 to 18
    years of age; and
    (d) Enhanced penalties for certain offences committed against children below 14
    years of age. [Para 10]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Polygamy
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    CEDAW recommended that the State intensify its efforts to discourage and prohibit polygamy. [Para 56]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    JS6 stated that the minimum legal age for marriage was 18 years, under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, but religious officials appointed to solemnise Muslim marriages could allow marriages with younger girls if they had attained puberty. It recommended that the Government disallow marriage for girls below the age of 18 in all circumstances. [Para 69]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CEDAW recommended that the State withdraw its remaining reservations to articles 2, 11 and 16 within a clear time frame. [Para 6]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Portugal

    Portugal
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify the ICCPR, ... the ICESCR and its OP ...
    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:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Sign and ratify the core international human rights instruments, including ... the ICCPR.
    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:

    Brazil

    Brazil
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    • Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Take the necessary measures to eliminate legislation and policies that criminalize, in a direct or an indirect way, same sex relations and discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.
    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:

    Kuwait

    Kuwait
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Pursue its efforts to providing women and children with all their rights.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 16) The Inter-Ministry Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) monitors the implementation of Singapore’s CEDAW obligations. The CEDAW Committee considered Singapore’s fifth periodic report (CEDAW/C/SGP/5) in 2017. In 2020, Singapore launched the Conversations on Singapore Women’s Development, a national conversation series to gather feedback from thousands of Singaporeans on issues concerning women at home, at work, in schools, and in the community. The Conversations will culminate in a White Paper to be submitted to Parliament in 2021, with recommendations and a roadmap to further advance women’s protection, interests, and development in Singapore.
    Para 19) Islamic law is applied for certain religious and personal matters pertaining to Muslims in Singapore. The application of Islamic law in Singapore takes into account evolving societal contexts and norms. For instance, in May 2019, the fatwa (religious ruling) on joint tenancy was revised to recognise joint tenancy contracts as religiously valid, without the need for additional documents to effect the right of survivorship. This protects Muslim widows, in particular, from financial distress and uncertainty.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 21) The Independent Expert on older persons noted that although the Constitution guaranteed equality for all persons, it did not explicitly recognize equality on the basis of sex.
    Para 75) The Independent Expert on older persons noted the persistence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and men within the family and in society at large. She stated that such stereotypes were not only a root cause of violence against women in the private and public spheres, but also placed women in a disadvantaged position, including in the labour market.

  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexuality education
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    JS1 recommended that Singapore introduce comprehensive and evidence-based sexuality and sexual health programmes to all schools to include LGBTI-related issues. [Para 66]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    National Report

    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    … Singapore is also actively studying the provisions in the UN CRPD. [Para 89]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The CEDAW noted with concern that Singapore had no plans to adopt temporary special measures to accelerate the achievement of substantive equality between women and men. It reiterated its previous recommendation and called upon Singapore to apply temporary special measures in areas in which women are underrepresented or disadvantaged and allocate additional resources where needed. [Para 36]