UPR Sexual Rights Database

Search & Filters

Select one or more parameters to begin your search. You may also search by keyword at any time.

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

Show advanced filters
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 41726 - 41750 of 58160 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:

    Iran

    Iran
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Establish a universal birth registration system that includes children of the refugees and asylum seekers.
    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:

    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:

    India

    India
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Stop the discriminatory approach that requires only foreign workers in various sectors to mandatorily undergo HIV/AIDS testing, which is not required for Korean nationals.
  • 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:

    Qatar

    Qatar
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    AL
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Make further efforts to increase access of young people and women to the labour market.
  • 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:

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexual harassment
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    NHRCK recommended that the authorities draw up measures to step up sanctions on perpetrators of sex crimes against children or minors, and take comprehensive actions to tackle sexual harassment through social network services and other online platforms, and sexual violence among students in schools. [Para 6]
  • 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:

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    ... it was recommended that the Republic of Korea ratify the OP-ICESCR, ..., OP-CRPD, ... [Para 2]
  • 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:

    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:

    Slovakia

    Slovakia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Consider the ratification of the Third 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:

    DPR Korea

    DPR Korea
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Ensure a lasting solution of unresolved cases of sexual slavery and forced labour committed by Japan during the World War II aimed at fulfilling the victims’ right to truth, justice and reparation on the basis of victim-centred approach and victims’ demands.
    Explanation
    Noted.

  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Lithuania

    Lithuania
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue efforts for monitoring, preventing and combating all forms of violence and abuse against women and children, including online violence.
    Explanation
    Already implemented.



  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Introduce a taskforce to tackle all sexual violence against women, bringing in tougher penalties for perpetrators.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Vietnam

    Vietnam
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue implementing policies and measures for eliminating discrimination against women, and to promote gender equality.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Belgium

    Belgium
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    OIF
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Question
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    Will the Republic of Korea respond positively on the request by the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls to visit the country?
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Intersex persons' rights
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    JS6 recommended ensuring the bodily integrity of intersex persons, especially infants, children, and adolescents, by prohibiting unnecessary medical interventions carried out without their free and fully informed consent. [Para 85]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Sexuality education
    • Sexually transmitted infections
    • Discrimination based on sexual orientation
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Discrimination based on gender identity
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    HRW recommended conducting a major reform of the sexuality education curriculum to remove gender stereotypes, provide scientific information about healthy sexuality and include inclusive teaching about consent, gender-based violence and healthy relationships. It recommended redesigning the national sexuality education curriculum to include materials about sexual orientations and gender identities and objective information on prevention and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. [Para 58]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Age of consent
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    42nd Session, January 2023
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    CRC urged the State to take all measures necessary to prevent and respond to all manifestations of child sexual exploitation and abuse, including ... increase the minimum age of consent for engaging in sexual activities ... [Para 68]
  • 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 violence against women and to ensure the further protection of their human rights, the Act on the Punishment of Procuring Prostitution and Associated Acts and the Act on the Prevention of Prostitution and Protection of Victims (2004), and the Comprehensive Action Plan to Prevent Prostitution (2004) were established. In addition, the Support Center for Victims of Forced Prostitution (2005) was launched to provide rehabilitation support. Also, various support policies were introduced such as the expansion of counseling centers and protection facilities for victims of sexual and domestic violence, the provision of a One-Stop Service for victims, which provides counseling, medical, investigative, and legal needs, and the establishment of dedicated centers for the prevention of sexual violence against children (three locations). [Para 37]
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Denmark

    Denmark
    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:
    Adopt a comprehensive anti-discrimination act prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender, religion, belief, and race.
    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:

    Slovenia

    Slovenia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Sexual exploitation / slavery
    • International human rights instruments
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    14th session, November 2012
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Consider withdrawing the remaining reservations to international human rights instruments to which it is a party (namely to the CRC, ICCPR, OP-CRC-SC, CEDAW).
    Explanation
    The Government will consider whether the amendment to the Civil Act is necessary or not in order to withdraw the reservation to Article 16(1)(g) of CEDAW, taking social circumstances and public consensus into account; the Government will carefully review Article 40(2) of the CRC, as it is in conflict with Article 110(4) of the Constitution and Article 534 of the Military Court Act which limit the right to appeal under emergency martial law. The amendments of the said laws would require public consensus and a change in the security circumstances.
    Implementation
    National Report:
    Para 10) The inter-ministerial consultations have been carried out on the withdrawal of the reservations to Article 21 paragraph (a) of the CRC pertaining to adoption, as the revisions were made on the related legislations and the process for withdrawal of the reservation is underway.
  • State Under Review:

    Republic of Korea

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

    Panama

    Panama
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    ACS
    Issue:
    • Marital rape
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    28th Session November 2017
    Status:
    Unclear Response
    Contents:
    Undertake legislative measures to criminalize marital rape.
    Explanation
    Noted. Under the current law, marital rape is recognized as a criminal offense as the object of the crime of rape is defined as a person, which in itself includes a spouse.

© Copyright 2022 Sexual Rights Initiative. All rights reserved.