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 47001 - 47025 of 58126 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    Somalia

    Somalia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Source Of Reference:

    Thailand

    Thailand
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    • Women's participation
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Redouble the efforts in promoting the rights of women and girls, including ensuring their access to education and enhancing their representation and participation in public life.
  • State Under Review:

    Somalia

    Somalia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Source Of Reference:

    Croatia

    Croatia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Develop and enforce strong accountability mechanisms for national and regional forces, including adequate punishment for gender-based violence.
  • State Under Review:

    Somalia

    Somalia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Source Of Reference:

    Mauritius

    Mauritius
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Enact a sexual offences bill, especially in cases of rape involving minors.
  • State Under Review:

    Somalia

    Somalia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Source Of Reference:

    Argentina

    Argentina
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    38th Session, May 2021
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Promote legislation prohibiting all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, with particular attention to prevention, protection, care, treatment, support and reparation mechanisms for survivors of sexual violence.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Albania

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

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The (UN) country team recommended that South Africa promote nationwide school policies and guidelines that explicitly promoted sexual diversity and tolerance for different gender identities. [Para 16]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The (UN) country team reported that despite some progress in the reduction of maternal deaths, South Africa had not met its Millennium Development Goal target and maternal mortality was still relatively high (154 women per 100,000 live births in 2011-2013). [Para 44]
  • 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
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    In the light of the extreme levels of violence committed against women in informal settlements, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women recommended that South Africa consider establishing national inquiries into such violence and the general situation of women and girls in such settlements. [Para 55]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    JS11 recommended that South Africa: take action and implement the recommendations made by the ministerial committees on child, neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality; and make greater efforts to develop and support the functioning of community level maternal and child health workers. [Para 58]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Continue to promote and protect the right of all persons to equality without discrimination based on sexual orientation, at both the national and international levels
    Explanation
    Most of the recommendations have already been implemented through national legislation and policy programmes. In South Africa, everyone has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law. No one may be discriminated against on any ground. The Constitution extends this protection to all groups, including persons with alternative life and sexual orientations. Successful cases have been adjudicated upon by the South African Constitutional Court where discrimination on some of these grounds could be proven.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex 1:
    The right to equal protection and benefit of the law is constitutionally guaranteed in South Africa. Discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is prohibited. Bearing in mind the recent spate of violence visited upon LGBTI persons, government has established a National Task Team comprising representatives from government and civil society with a view to develop administrative and legislative measures to ensure maximum protection, adequate remedies and combating impunity. Meanwhile, our Courts have set a precedent by delivering a seminal judgement, by convicting and sentencing perpetrators of this emerging violence and intolerance against LGBTI persons.

    As part of the Government's international obligations under international human rights law, South Africa similarly advocates for the principle of non-discrimination under any grounds, including sexual orientation at every opportunity in the multilateral and regional fora where these matters are discussed. The Department through the South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, has since the adoption of the South African initiated, United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 17/19, entitled "Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity" been engaged with all stakeholders and providing strategic direction on this initiative. These consultations have been inclusive, transparent and aimed at depoliticizing the issue of sexual orientation in the context of the work of the Council, particularly taking into account the positions from other delegations that did not support the resolutions. Additionally, following the release of the report as well as the announcement of the names of the Panelists ahead of the March Session, there has been lobby action undertaken in Geneva as well as Pretoria, particularly with countries who share in the vision of the Government through this initiative. A High-Level Segment during the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council was held on 27 February 2012. The 19th Session of the HRC also convened a High-Level Panel on this issue.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 20) CEDAW noted the prohibition, in the Constitution, of discrimination based on the sexual orientation of individuals. However, it expressed concern about reported murder and sexual offences committed against women on account of their sexual orientation. It urged effective protection from violence and discrimination against women based on their sexual orientation, continued sensitization campaign and training for law enforcement officials and other relevant actors
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    Regarding implementation of programmes targeting vulnerable groups and diseases of poverty especially to respond to the MDGs, progress has been made in the area of Maternal, Child and Woman's Health, TB control and the response to HIV&AIDS. Through the Free PHC services that includes for women the disabled and children under 6 years old, a range of programmes are implemented. Vitamin A supplementation is given to mothers and babies, nutritional meal
    supplements and micronutritients are given to all in need - the most beneficiaries being pregnant women, TB patients, malnourished children from birth to fourteen years, HIV positive children and adults ... [Para 64]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Iraq

    Iraq
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Trafficking in women and / or girls
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking and guarantee protection and rehabilitation to women and children victims of human trafficking.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Chile

    Chile
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Adopt a gender equality law, which includes a definition of discrimination against women.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Italy

    Italy
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue to strengthen efforts to prevent and combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Paraguay

    Paraguay
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Step up efforts to guarantee the rights provided for in the CEDAW, through the criminalization of all forms of domestic violence and femicide, in line with SDG 5.
  • 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:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Criminalise all forms of domestic violence and femicide.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Chile

    Chile
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Amend the Customary Marriage Recognition Act to raise the minimum age for marriage to 18, both for girls and boys.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Canada

    Canada
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    OAS
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Implement the South Africa Law Reform Commission's proposals on the Criminal Law Amendment Act 2007, with a view to supporting and prosecuting complaints in court and to providing comprehensive State-funded post sexual assault medical care and treatment services.
    Explanation
    Most of the recommendations have already been implemented through national legislation and policy programmes. The Government has set up one-stop service centres (Thuthuzela Centres) where survivors of sexual assault can report crime, access specialist investigators and prosecutors and obtain medical care and counselling.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex 1:
    In order to co-ordinate government's response to survivors of sexual assault an Inter-Departmental Management Team (IDMT) for management of victims of Sexual Assault was established. All relevant government departments are represented in this team. In addition, a Victims Empowerment Management Team which deals with all victims of crime has been established (Department of Social Development;South African Police Service; Department of Health; Department of Correctional Service;Department of Basic Education;National Prosecuting Authority; and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development) Public health facilities provide comprehensive support to survivors of sexual assault which include the following services: medical examination; counselling; testing for Pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases; provision of drugs for post exposure prophylaxis; as well as collection of specimen which can service as forensic evidence in courts of law. Between September 2010 and September 2011, 249 health professionals have been trained in the management of sexual assault. The training covers all areas listed above.

    SAPS has also developed National Instructions on the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act in order to provide clear policy directives for the police in support of members to improve service delivery to victims.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Slovenia

    Slovenia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify the ICESCR and its OP.
    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:

    Malaysia

    Malaysia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    No Response
    Contents:
    Allocate more financial and other resources to ensure effective implementation of initiatives related to the advancement of women and gender equality, in particular the 365-day National Plan of Action to end gender violence.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    FULL IMPLEMENTATION
    A National Department of Women, located in the Presidency, was established with the necessary dedicated human and financial resources to fulfil its core mandate to ensure effective implementation of initiatives related to the advancement of women and gender equality.

    Although this is the core mandate of the Department of Women, all other national and provincial departments have a mandate to implement policies, legislative measures and campaigns to advance gender equality. These include:
    • Campaigns during 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, held during November/December annually, contribute to the fight against violence against women.
    • Campaign at higher institutions of learning to curb sexual violence,
    • Gender inequality of women and girls with disabilities are recognized at legislative level as corroborated by the provisions of section 9(2) (e) of the National Sport and Recreation Act, 1998 (Act No. 110 of 1998 as amended) (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”) which provide that Sport and Recreation South Africa must ensure that women, the youth attending school and those who are no longer attending school, the disabled, senior citizens and neglected rural areas, receive priority regarding programmes for development and the delivery of sport and recreation.
    • In recent years, sport has been recognized as a powerful tool through which gender inequality, at the root of Gender Based Violence (GBV), can be effectively addressed. To explore this role of sport and to initiate actions in this regard, Sport and Recreation South Africa, as Chair of the United Nation’s Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group (SDP IWG), prepared a framework for further discussion. This draft framework was approved by the Executive Board in New York on 7 June 2013. After expert presentations and group discussions, the thematic meeting agreed on a set of eight policy recommendations to governments for addressing GBV in and through sport.

    Together these comprehensively form part of the 365 days programme of action.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Slovenia

    Slovenia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    No Response
    Contents:
    Conduct comprehensive public awareness campaigns and enhance the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes perpetrated on grounds of ... sexual orientation or gender identity.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    FULL IMPLEMENTATION

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

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

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

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

    Nationally, there are 176 established FCS units attached to all police clusters within SAPS. This has resulted in lengthy convictions, achieved through the dedicated work of detectives and prosecutors.

    Resourcing and establishing victim-friendly rooms at police service points are on-going. There are currently more than 900 Victim Friendly Facilities rendering victim support services in place and it is envisaged that this will be rolled out to all police stations.

    South Africa has dedicated sexual offences courts. These dedicated services use intermediaries, audio-visual equipment and specialised training, among other measures. The NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit developed comprehensive training manuals which are updated annually to be in line with the latest developments in law for specialist prosecutors and also an integrated training manual for stakeholders at our TCCs.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    China

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

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

    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    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:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    CEDAW … recommended that South Africa review the bill to ensure that women could opt out of traditional court proceedings and appeal decisions. [Para 19]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    • Human rights defenders
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS9 recommended ending persecutions against women human rights defenders and developing legislation to protect them. [Para 27]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexuality education
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    UPR-BCU recommended that South Africa invest in broader access to HIV/AIDS treatment, prioritise school sex education, and invest more in awareness-raising. [Para 37]

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