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 47126 - 47150 of 58160 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Tunisia

    Tunisia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Work to secure drinking water and decent sanitation services for all on the basis of equality, especially for women and children and in schools in disadvantaged areas.
  • 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:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    The Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that South Africa improve data collection on maternal deaths, including those occurring outside of health facilities, and that it obtain technical guidance from OHCHR on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. [Para 44]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Costa Rica

    Costa Rica
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Female genital mutilation / cutting
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Eradicate virginity tests and female genital mutilation, for all people without discrimination of their age, throughout the national territory.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Adolescent sexual activity
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The Human Rights Committee recommended that South Africa amend the Children’s Act with the aim of prohibiting virginity tests on children, irrespective of their age. [Para 58]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Finland

    Finland
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Develop measurable targets for indicators of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and prioritize appropriate training for professionals who work with victims of gender-based violence.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    South Africa should pursue legislative measures to address gaps in the normative framework for women’s rights and gender equality. [Para 66]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Philippines

    Philippines
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Enhance the implementation of laws enacted to prevent and combat gender-based violence including the vigorous enforcement of legal action against the perpetrators of violence.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Belgium

    Belgium
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ensure full implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide through the adoption of decisive policies by relevant ministries.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Norway

    Norway
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    • Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Establish and implement measures to prevent, investigate and adequately prosecute threats, attacks and discrimination against LGBTIQ persons.
  • 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:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    CESCR ... recommeded that South Africa intensify efforts to close the gap, address occupational segregation, and ensure that the principle of equal pay for work of equal value was incorporated into labour laws and collective agreements. ... [Para 28]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    LRC-Edu recommended that South Africa ensure that teacher training addresses negative stereotypes about girls’ abilities, remove stereotypes in the curriculum, and adopt regulations to provide sanitary products. HRW recommended ensuring that pregnant students are supported to complete secondary education. [Para 46]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    • Forced marriage
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS17 and UPR-BCU recommended that the Government reform cultural attitudes that perpetuate early marriage, ensure that law enforcement implements the laws prohibiting child and forced marriages, and capacitate traditional authorities to combat child marriages. UPR-BCU recommended to harmonize all marriage laws to delineate a minimum age of 18 years. [Para 59]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    CEDAW noted that the Constitutional Court of South Africa has held as discriminatory, and therefore unconstitutional, rules of customary laws on marriage and succession. However, it was concerned that discriminatory laws and practices, such as polygamy, were being upheld by a combination of civil, customary and religious marital regimes, and by the adoption of legislation such as the Customary Marriages Act. CEDAW urged South Africa to expedite discussion of the Customary Law of Succession and Related Amendment Bill, with the aim of adopting it, and to prepare a unified family code in conformity with the Convention. [Para 21]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    • Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS5 recommended that the Government address hate crime violence by introducing legislation that expressly criminalizes violence against individuals or property on the basis of ... sexual orientation or gender identity. Training should be given to law enforcement agencies so that such crimes are properly investigated. [Para 41]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Zimbabwe

    Zimbabwe
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    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:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    By 2030, the NDP aims to have raised the life expectance of South Africans to at least 70 years; having produced a generation of under-20s that is largely HIV-free; ... [Para 38]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    Challenges that the Government is grappling with include:
    Early registration of birth: Effective civil registration requires universal early registration of birth in order to safeguard the identity and status of each South African, and the accuracy of our National Population Register. Late Registration of Birth presents risks. Since 2010, the Government has intensified its efforts to entrench Early Birth Registration (EBR) and to end late registration of birth. EBR also ensures that children are provided with access to health care, access to immunisation, and enrol in school at the right age. South Africa has made great strides in EBR in recent years. South Africa notes the observations of the CRC Committee regarding administrative and practical obstacles in obtaining birth registration, including punitive measures for late birth registration and the CRC’s recommendations regarding birth registration to ensure full conformity with the Convention. Renewed efforts will be made to address the concerns.
    [Para 90]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Philippines

    Philippines
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify OP-ICESCR
    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:

    Turkey

    Turkey
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    OIC
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Increase its efforts in addressing the HIV epidemic
  • 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:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Step up its fight against gender-based discrimination and violence, uproot its social acceptability and increase efforts for the protection of its victims and redress for violations of their rights, as well as efforts on accountability of perpetrators
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Ireland

    Ireland
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    • Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Work to eradicate harmful cultural or traditional practices against women and girls by conducting educational campaigns, encouraging reporting of cases and publically denouncing such practices; by urgently providing an adequate budget for the implementation of key measures of the Domestic Violence Act; and by strengthening the systematic and comprehensive collection of disaggregated data related to the incidence of all forms of violence against women, including femicide and intimate partner violence, and by using this data to inform its policy responses and monitoring
    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:

    Turkey

    Turkey
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    OIC
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Amend legislation and regulations in order to ensure universal birth registration for children born in its territory
    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:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Abortion
    • Marginalized groups of women
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    1st session, April 2008
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    ... Services that were introduced in order to improve women's health under the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act are now available in about 65% of tertiary and secondary level hospitals. There are still challenges regarding this services, especially in rural provinces like Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. Cervical cancer services have reached numbers of women. [Para 65]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Portugal

    Portugal
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify ICESCR and sign its OP allowing the right of individual petition.
    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:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    No Response
    Contents:
    Step up efforts to eliminate violence and discrimination against women.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION

    In order to improve handling of rape cases by Police the SAPS 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.

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