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 45526 - 45550 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
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The CEDAW noted with appreciation measures to support parenthood, including longer maternity leave and extended childcare and infant leaves for both parents. It expressed concern that the paid maternity leave of 16 weeks applied only to citizen births and that single unwed mothers did not receive the same benefits as married women. It was deeply concerned at the cases in which pregnant employees were forced to resign. The Committee urged Singapore to ensure that all women employees, in both the public and private sectors, are guaranteed paid maternity leave, regardless of their nationality and marital status. [Para 43]
  • 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:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    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.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    • Women's and / or girls' 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:
    CRC recommended that the State adopt a proactive and comprehensive strategy containing specific and well-targeted actions, including affirmative social actions, to eliminate discrimination against children in marginalized or vulnerable situations, including children without Singaporean citizenship, girls, children with disabilities, children of ethnic minorities, children of unmarried couples, children of same-sex couples and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children. [Para 24]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • 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:
    JS4 recommended that the Government develop campaigns to increase public awareness and acceptance of LGBTQ persons. [Para 15]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    • Domestic violence
    • Rights of same-sex desiring persons
    • Transgender persons' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS4 recommended that the Government raise awareness and strengthen capacity among State and non-State actors to conduct LGBTQ-affirmative sensitivity training for teachers, law enforcement officers, family violence service providers, and all agencies in the National Family Violence Networking System to adequately assist, counsel, and support LGBTQ children victim-survivors of violence. [Para 112]
  • 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:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    UNESCO noted that the Government should be encouraged to pursue its efforts towards gender equality in education to encourage girls to choose non-traditional fields of study and career paths. [Para 71]
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    "CEDAW also encouraged Singapore to ratify the OP-CEDAW ... CEDAW urged Singapore to exert its efforts towards the withdrawal, within a concrete time frame, of its reservations to article 2, article 11, paragraph (1) and article 16 of the Convention. [Para 2]"
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Sexual harassment
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    "CEDAW also encouraged Singapore to take steps to enact legislative provisions on sexual harassment in the workplace and in educational institutions, with provisions for sanctions, civil remedies and compensation for victims. [Para 42]"
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Germany

    Germany
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify the ICCPR, the ICESCR … and implement them into national law.
    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:

    Cote d'Ivoire

    Cote d'Ivoire
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    OIF
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify the OP-CEDAW.
    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:

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Implement comprehensive legislation protecting people from discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.
    Explanation
    The Singapore Constitution enshrines the principle of equality of all persons before the law. We have laws and policies to protect our people from discrimination.

  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Iraq

    Iraq
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Partially Accepted
    Contents:
    Accede 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:

    Kazakhstan

    Kazakhstan
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    CIS
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue efforts to strengthen and protect social, economic and cultural rights for all people including the rights of women and children and persons with disabilities.
    Explanation
    Singapore also has robust legislation criminalising domestic violence under the Women’s Charter and the Penal Code.


  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Guyana

    Guyana
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OIC
    ACS
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Establish adequate and coordinated mechanisms to identify and protect child victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation.
    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:

    South Sudan

    South Sudan
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Redouble efforts to guarantee equality between women and men in marriage and family relations.
    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:

    France

    France
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Create a legal framework that promotes the strengthening of the fight against all forms of discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.
    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:

    Sweden

    Sweden
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Become a party to the ICCPR and its OPs.
    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:

    Czechia

    Czechia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify 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:

    Greece

    Greece
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Place high priority on the full incorporation of the CEDAW into the domestic legal system.
    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:

    Nicaragua

    Nicaragua
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Empowerment of women
    • Women's participation
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue ensuring the rights of women and girls through their empowerment and participation in society.
    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:

    France

    France
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Right to privacy
    • Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Rejected
    Contents:
    Draw the consequences of the positive evolution of society with respect to homosexuality by abolishing the provisions of the Penal Code related to private relations between consenting adults.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 111) The retention of section 377A of the Penal Code was thoroughly and passionately debated in Parliament in 2007. In 2013, two legal applications were made to challenge the constitutionality of section 377A and the Court of Appeal upheld its constitutionality in both cases. This is a sensitive issue in multi-religious Singapore and the decision to retain section 377A of the Penal Code was a carefully considered and finely balanced decision taken by Parliament. Segments of Singapore society continue to hold strong views against homosexuality for various reasons including religious convictions and moral values. Petitions to repeal section 377A were often met with counter-petitions.

    Para 112) While section 377A is retained, the Government does not proactively enforce it. All Singapore citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation, are free to lead their lives and pursue their activities in their private space without fear of violence or personal insecurity. Members of the LGBT community are also not discriminated against in schools or the workplace. The Government does not discriminate against persons seeking a job in the civil service on the basis of their sexual orientation.

    Para 113) We believe that each country should be allowed to deal with such sensitive issues in its own way, taking into account its evolving social and cultural context. Our approach seeks to accommodate the sensitivities of different communities so that there is room for all to exist harmoniously together. We believe this to be a pragmatic and reasonable compromise in the current circumstances.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 4) Joint Submission 5 (JS5) stated that Singapore had avoided to enact specific legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Polygamy
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    24th session, January 2016
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    JS3 noted that the Administration of Muslim Law Act (AMLA) permitted a Muslim man to enter into polygamous marriages of up to 4 living wives at any point in time without any legal requirement to obtain consent from the first wife. Unless specifically provided for in the initial marriage contract, a husband's polygamy is not recognized as a valid ground of divorce available to the wife. [Para 36]
  • 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:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    ... Encouraged Singapore to elevate the status of the national machinery for the advancement of women, to strengthen its mandate and to provide the necessary resources. [Para 11; CEDAW]
  • 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:
    • Right to marry
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Question
    Session:
    11th session, May 2011
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    What are the reasons behind measures prohibiting foreign domestic workers in Singapore from marrying Singaporean citizens and subjecting female foreign domestic workers to mandatory regular medical examinations, including pregnancy tests and HIV tests?
  • State Under Review:

    Singapore

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

    Sweden

    Sweden
    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 policies have been implemented to ensure that LGBTI-students are able to complete their education, safely, with dignity and without discrimination of any kind?