UPR Sexual Rights Database

The Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, recommended that Sri Lanka ratify the OP-ICESCR. [Para 3]

Take into account the recommendation made by the Human Rights Committee that it incorporate all substantive provisions of ICCPR into its national legislation, unless already done.

Adopt in line with 2030 Agenda all legislative and political measures as needed to guarantee universal access to sexual and reproductive health, according to the Plan of Action of the Beijing Conference.

Amend its laws that discriminate against women, and decriminalise consensual same-sex conduct.

Give special attention to the rights of women and further promote education and development and their representation in politics and public life.

JS1 noted that there was no minimum age of marriage for Muslims, and that the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act allowed a male guardian to give the bride in marriage, resulting in forced marriage of girls as young as fourteen. [Para 71]

Provide training and promote capacity building among its institutions to guarantee the effective application of the Women's Charter.

... Extending criminalization of marital rape regardless of judicial acknowledgement of separation [Para 29; UNCT]

HRW noted that hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan women migrated as domestic workers to other countries, where they are excluded from labour law protections and often work excessive hours, and endure physical, psychological violence, unpaid wages and other abuses. Recruitment agents in Sri Lanka may provide false or incomplete information about jobs abroad, recruit children, and impose illegal fees.118 Similarly, JS1 noted that the national migration policy had yet to be effectively implemented and monitored. [Para 69]

Recognize female genital mutilation as a violation of the rights of women and girls by strengthening its legislative framework, creating multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms and adopting policies to prevent and eliminate all harmful practices.

Prohibit discrimination in hiring, enshrine in law equal pay for equal work and establish a minimum wage.

•While the government has standard operating procedures to guide law enforcement and other government-supported frontline responders on the identification of trafficking victims and referral to care, implementation of the procedures has been inconsistent. How is Sri Lanka working to proactively identify trafficking victims, including among undocumented migrant workers abroad and women in commercial sex work?