UPR Sexual Rights Database

Equip all police stations with a women’s desk, private rooms, and sufficient number of female police officers with the view of better ensuring women and girls’ access to justice.

[The Special Rapporteur on torture] noted that torture and ill-treatment, including of a sexual nature, still occurred, in particular in the early stages of arrest and interrogation, often for the purpose of eliciting confessions, and that the gravity of the mistreatment inflicted increased for those who were perceived to be involved in terrorism or offences against national security. ... [Para 17]

Joint Submission 6 (JS6) emphasized that the gender segregation of labour in the plantation sector indicated the discrimination and exploitation of women workers as they faced clear barriers in going beyond basic manual labour work to managerial and supervisory roles unlike men. [Para 49]

The HR Committee … recommended that Sri Lanka amend its Penal Code and consider amending article 12 of its Constitution to explicitly state that sexual orientation and gender identity were prohibited grounds for discrimination. It also recommended that Sri Lanka strengthen measures to protect against violations of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons as well as strengthen awareness-raising and training on their rights. [Para 52]

Adopt and implement legislation to safeguard the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, association and peaceful assembly of human rights defenders, including journalists, environmentalists, women and religious leaders.

Undertake awareness-raising campaigns targeting at the tourism sector and the general population on the prevention of sexual exploitation of children in travels and tourism, with a wide dissemination of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism of the World Tourism Organization.

CEDAW encouraged the establishment of the National Commission on Women. [Para 3]

Treaty bodies invited Sri Lanka to consider ratifying ... OP-CRPD, OP-ICESCR ... [Para 1]

Ensure equal access to education of vulnerable people including women, children and persons with disabilities.

Continue to take measures to end all forms of violence against women and expedite the finalization of amendments to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

Amend the Penal Code, particularly Sections 365 and 365A to decriminalize consensual same-sex conduct and displays of affection.

As a country afflicted with conflict, Sri Lanka is of the view that implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security is important as millions of women and children around the world remained adversely affected by conflict and terrorism. We recognize the need to address grave violations of women's human rights in situations of armed conflict, and their potential contribution to peace-building. Sri Lanka fully endorses the approach based on giving greater impetus to gender mainstreaming in the promotion of international peace and security. [Para 84]