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 41926 - 41950 of 58126 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Spain

    Spain
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Include in the Anti-discrimination Law a specific prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
    Explanation
    The Government will consider the inclusion of sexual orientation in the research and review process for the enactment of the Anti-discrimination Act.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 15) The Constitution, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act, and 90 other legislations prohibit discrimination in a number of sectors based on various grounds, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Since 2006, the Government collected various opinions and continued with its research for the sake of legislative integrity in an effort to enact general anti-discrimination laws. Nevertheless, legislative procedure did not proceed, as a number of legislative bills proposed by the Government and lawmakers did not make it to the discussion at the National Assembly and were discarded upon expiration of the term. In 2013, the Government presented the enactment of anti-discrimination act as one of the policy tasks, organizing a working group to undertake the enactment of the law and conducting research on foreign legislations and precedents. Nonetheless, legislative process has been stagnant because of social controversy related to prohibited grounds of discrimination such as sexual orientation. The Government will carry on research and review a number of issues pertaining to the general anti-discrimination law and listen to public opinion.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 27) JS1 and JS5 stated that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons were subject to discrimination and stigmatization in public and private spheres. JS5 reported on incidents of hate crimes against them. LGBTI adolescents remained a vulnerable group, at the risk of being exposed to hate speech and bullying and of terminating their studies. JS5 concluded that the authorities failed to provide equal protection to LGBTI persons.
    Para 29) AI reported that civil society LGBTI groups continued to face discrimination, including at the hands of authorities. In 2015, the Beyond the Rainbow Foundation was refused registration, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police refused to grant a permit to the Pride Parade. The ban was only overturned when the organizers filed a petition to the court. JS1and JS5 made similar observations.
    Para 30) Kaleidoscope Australia Human Rights Foundation (Kaleidoscope) stated that the Republic of Korea did not recognise marriage between same-sex couples. The legislation did not specifically state that marriage was between a man and a woman, but all rights and duties in the legislation described marriage as between a husband and wife. JS5 made similar observations.
    Para 31) Kaleidoscope stated that LGBTI persons faced discrimination in the context of adoption as they were effectively prohibited from adopting children under the age of 15.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Israel

    Israel
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Continue to take measures to tackle all forms of discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
    Explanation
    Noted. The Government face difficulties in taking immediate actions in a short period of time.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Romania

    Romania
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Enact measures regarding the civil registration of children at birth in order to fight the possible traffic in human beings.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 50) The universal birth registration requires mandatory birth reporting upon the birth of a child. The birth of a child of foreign nationals born in the Republic of Korea shall be registered in accordance with the laws of their countries even in cases where the parents are undocumented migrants. Children born to refugees can be registered as foreigners if they submit birth certificate issued by a hospital. The Act on the Registration, etc. of Family Relation was amended in May 2016 to allow a prosecutor or the head of a local government to report a child’s birth if the persons who are obligated to report fails to do and jeopardizes the child’s welfare.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 15) Noting the universal periodic review recommendation on a birth registration system, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that the birth registration system failed to ensure universal and compulsory birth registration and that foreigners whose children had been born in the country were not able to register their children through the family register, although their children might receive a birth notification document from the hospital.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 23) JS2 stated that the Government has refused to register births of children of foreign nationals. The parents might register the birth of their child through the embassies of their countries. However, refugees were often reluctant to approach the embassies to register the birth of their child.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Mongolia

    Mongolia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Consider joining the OP-CRC-IC.
    Explanation
    Noted. The Government is continuously reviewing the recommendations.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Moldova

    Moldova
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    CIS
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • Trafficking in women and / or girls
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen the cooperation both at national and international levels in fighting against human trafficking equally for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 55) The Government amended the Criminal Act to newly stipulate the crime of human trafficking in order to ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The amended Criminal Act expanded the purpose of kidnapping and abduction, along with the previously stipulated purpose of “engaging in an indecent act, sexual intercourse or marriage, or for gain” and “transportation of a person out of the Republic of Korea”, to include the purpose of “labour exploitation, sex trafficking, or the acquisition of organs”. The consequentially aggravated crimes of human trafficking were also more specified into bodily injury and murder and death, in line with the principle of liability. A person who recruits, transfers, or delivers another with the intent to commit human trafficking has become principal rather than accessory under the amended Criminal Act, as such acts are defined as distinct acts of crimes. The provision of universal jurisdiction has been introduced so as to punish foreign nationals in the territory of the Republic of Korea, who have committed the same crime outside the Republic of Korea. The Government presented the bill for the consent of the ratification of the Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, which passed National Assembly in 2015 and the instrument of ratification was deposited with the United Nations. The Protocol took effect in Korea on 5 December 2015.

    UN Compilation:
    Para 57) The HR Committee noted with concern that, while the Republic of Korea was a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, traffickers were rarely prosecuted and convicted. It was concerned ...that women entering the country on E-6 (culture and entertainment) visas were frequently trapped into prostitution, ... .

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 56) AI stated that the definition of human trafficking was not consistent with international law. JS2 reported that law enforcement officers often failed to identify victims of human trafficking and trafficking victims who were trafficked for labour and sexual exploitation could not receive a proper protection.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Iraq

    Iraq
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue efforts to ensure birth registration, making it available to all children regardless of the legal status of the parents or their origins.
    Explanation
    To introduce the birth notification system, the proposal on an amendment to the Family Relations Registration Act has been drafted and is under deliberation in the National Assembly.


  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Sexual abuse
    • Other
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    Amendments to the Social Services Act were passed in January 2012 and will be put into effect in August 2012. The amended Act sets forth the protection of human rights as one of basic principles of social services and duties of social service workers. The Act ... prohibits employment of convicted sex offenders against children and juveniles by social service institutions ... [Para 24]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue the commitment towards preventing domestic violence and strengthening support services of victims of domestic violence.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    ... CRC recommended that the Republic of Korea take appropriate measures to prevent sexual violence against children and make more efforts to effectively prosecute the sexual exploitation of children. [Para 19]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Argentina

    Argentina
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Marital rape
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Transgender persons' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Significantly increase efforts to combat gender-based violence against women in all its forms in order to make the necessary legislative amendments to criminalize marital rape, as well as to recognize gender identity, in accordance with personal autonomy and human dignity.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    AI and/or ICJ called for the ratification of OP-CRC-IC, OP-ICESCR ... [Para 25]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    El Salvador

    El Salvador
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue and strengthen its National Plan for the elimination of discrimination against women and the promotion of gender equality.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Canada

    Canada
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    OAS
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Comment
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    Canada raised concerns about HIV.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Marginalized groups of women
    • Gender perspective in policies, programmes
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    [CRPD] recommended mainstreaming the rights of women and girls with disabilities into all gender legislation and a gender perspective into disability policies and programmes. [Para 77]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexual harassment
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    Noting gaps in legislation to punish sexual harassment, HRW recommended that the State ratify and make reforms in alignment with the ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment (No. 190), including comprehensive measures to promote prevention, monitoring, and remedies to ensure work free from violence and harassment. [Para 71]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    In 2019, The CRC urged the State to ensure that birth registration was universal and available to all children regardless of their parents’ legal status or origin. [Para 71]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Brazil

    Brazil
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    2nd session, May 2008
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    To ratify the CRPD without reservations.
    Explanation
    Reservation to only Art. 25 (e) of the Convention is being considered.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 76) Among international human rights instruments, to which the Republic of Korea was recommended to accede at the first UPR, the Government signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008 ... The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was ratified with reservation to Article 25 (e) which conflicts with a domestic law, but the Government will consider withdrawing the reservation after completing the current amendment of the relevant statute.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Sex work / "prostitution"
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    2nd session, May 2008
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    To prevent sexual violence against women, the Government took pan-governmental measures, including the establishment of the Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention of Sexual Violence and Support for Victims and the formation of the Task Force against Sexual Violence. In addition, since the revision of the Act on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Protection of Victims, it has become mandatory for schools to provide education on the prevention of domestic violence, and assistance for medical costs has been readjusted substantially. Furthermore, the Government has made efforts to tackle the fundamental and structural causes of prostitution with the formation of the Prostitution Prevention Task Force Team and with the establishment of the Act on the Prevention of Sexual Traffic and Protection of Victims, etc., of Victims thereof and the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic. In particular, punishment of the procurers and clients of prostitution has been strengthened while measures have been taken to protect the human rights of the victims of forced prostitution. [Para 74]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Ghana

    Ghana
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (OP-CRPD).
    Explanation
    Noted. Taking into account a number of factors, such as the discrepancy between the treaties concerned and domestic law, the need for enactment or amendment of relevant laws and impact of ratification, the ROK will continue to consider the ratification of the international treaties to which it has not acceded.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Italy

    Italy
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Strengthen efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, including against LGBTI persons, by adopting a comprehensive law and running national awareness campaigns.
    Explanation
    Noted. The Government has devoted considerable legislative efforts to prohibit discrimination through the Constitution and 90 other legislations. Meanwhile, considering the controversy over the prohibited grounds of discrimination, the enactment of the general anti-discrimination law, which provides general remedial procedure for the victims of discriminatory acts, requires considerable examination and opinion-gathering process to reach public consensus regarding the matter. Furthermore, imposing criminal punishment for discriminatory acts requires a careful review.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Sierra Leone

    Sierra Leone
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Establish a comprehensive national birth registration system for foreign nationals to ensure the births of their children are registered.
    Explanation
    Noted. When children of non-citizens are born in the ROK, their parents can register the child’s birth via the embassy of their country of origin. The ROK permits the children of non-citizen parents to be registered as a foreigner and to remain in the ROK when the non-citizen parents are unable to register the child’s birth through the embassy because they are recognized refugees, seeking refugee status, or given humanitarian status, provided that birth certificates issued by hospitals prove the biological relationship between the child and his/her parents.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Maldives

    Maldives
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue measures to prevent, investigate and prosecute domestic violence offences and strengthen victim care.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Sudan

    Sudan
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's participation
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Intensify its efforts to eliminate gender wage gap and promote women representation in political and economic affairs.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexuality education
    • Rights of same-sex desiring persons
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    HRW noted the statement of official of the Ministry of Education made in 2017 that the new national sex education curriculum would not mention homosexuality. [Para 71]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

    Republic of Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Source Of Reference:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    [The HR Committee] recommended, inter alia, that the Government not tolerate any form of social
    stigmatization of, or discrimination against, persons based on their sexual orientation or
    gender identity, that it strengthen the legal framework to protect them ... . [Para 16]

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