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 47101 - 47125 of 58126 recommendations found
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Iran

    Iran
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    OIC
    Issue:
    • Gender equality
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Continue its endeavours on development and poverty alleviation throughout the community, notably for vulnerable groups, such as women and children
  • 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:
    • Gender equality
    • Empowerment of women
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Consolidate its ongoing programmes to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Chile

    Chile
    Regional group
    GRULAC
    Political group
    OAS
    OEI
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Adopt a comprehensive national plan to address comprehensively the problem of gender-based violence, whether physical, psychological or sexual, providing to all relevant public services sufficient resources to implement these policies, taking into account the specific circumstances of women and girls who suffer from the most serious vulnerability
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Mongolia

    Mongolia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Reinforce its efforts to ensure the thorough investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-based and domestic violence and guarantee access to justice for victims
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Serbia

    Serbia
    Regional group
    EEG
    Issue:
    • Birth registration
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Further engage in facilitating administrative procedures for birth registration, especially for disadvantaged children coming from rural and poor areas
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • 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:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The Human Rights Committee expressed concern about the persistence of stigma against persons based on their real or perceived sexual or gender orientation, gender identity or physical diversity and about the fact that such persons were subject to harassment, acts of discrimination, and sexual and physical violence. It recommended that South Africa eradicate such discrimination and violence. [Para 16]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    • Domestic violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    The Special Rapporteur on violence against women recommended that South Africa urgently provide an adequate budget for the implementation of key measures of the Domestic Violence Act, that it improve the training given to the police on the response to, management of and investigation of domestic violence and sexual offences, that it provide mandatory training to members of the judiciary, that it establish more shelters, in particular in rural areas and informal settlements, and that it expand the collection of data to include all forms of violence against women, including femicides, domestic violence and all types of sexual offences. [Para 54]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    UN Compilation

    Issue:
    • Right to marry
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    Two Committees were concerned at the lack of legal recognition of Muslim, as well as Hindu, marriages. They recommended that South Africa facilitate recognition of Muslim, and Hindu, marriages. [Para 23]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS5 recommended: increasing sensitization efforts on HIV/AIDS prevention, especially among young women, and on changing social attitudes on stigmatisation of persons living with HIV/AIDS; ensuring that counselling and testing facilities were available in all public hospitals, clinics and primary healthcare facilities throughout the country, especially in rural areas; expanding the anti-retroviral treatment programme to ensure that all persons living with HIV have access to antiretroviral drugs. [Para 57]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Abortion
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Not Followed up with a Recommendation
    Contents:
    JS16 recommended designating more abortion facilities, and enforcing stricter measures on conscientious objection. [Para 40]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Early marriage
    • Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
    • Forced marriage
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    Neglected
    Contents:
    JS11 recommended that South Africa define “forced marriage”, “child marriage”, and “Ukuthwala”, and criminalise all persons involved in forcing a person into marriage. [Para 74]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Contraception
    • Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    JS16 recommended that the Government prioritize supplying contraceptives, fully implement the Schools Health Act, digitize information for young people, and collaborate with youth organizations. AI recommended ensuring that facilities and services for sexual and reproductive health are accessible for all. [Para 38]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    New Zealand

    New Zealand
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    PIF
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    No Response
    Contents:
    Establish without delay an independent national monitoring mechanism, in line with article 33 of the CRPD.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION
    South Africa has approved the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
    Roles and Functions of Institutions promoting Democracy with particular reference to Section 13(1)(b) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act, 2013 empowers the SAHRC to monitor the implementation of, and compliance with, international and regional conventions and treaties, international and regional covenants, and international and regional charters relating to t the objects of the Commission, and requires of the SAGRC to prepare and submit reports to the National Assembly pertaining to any of these human rights instruments. However, enabling capacity and resources are currently being discussed.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Norway

    Norway
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen the training of the police, prosecutors and the judiciary in the area of gender based violence.
    Explanation
    Crime prevention is one of the identified priorities for the current administration. Adequate resources have been placed at the disposal of organs of state security and law enforcement agencies to ensure visible policing as well as community policing with the view to combating violent crime, contact crime and manifestations of violence in our communities. Annual statistics reveal a declining trend although our vision is to ensure no violence at all.
    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.

    Nationally, there are 176 established FCS units attached to all police clusters within SAPS. This has resulted in lengthy convictions, achieved through the dedicated work of detectives and prosecutors.

    Resourcing and establishing victim-friendly rooms at police service points are on-going. There are currently more than 900 Victim Friendly Facilities rendering victim support services in place and it is envisaged that this will be rolled out to all police stations.

    South Africa has dedicated sexual offences courts. These dedicated services use intermediaries, audio-visual equipment and specialised training, among other measures. The NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit developed comprehensive training manuals which are updated annually to be in line with the latest developments in law for specialist prosecutors and also an integrated training manual for stakeholders at our TCCs.

    The DoJ&CD also issued terms of reference for the rapid response team to fast track cases in the criminal justice system in a bid to endorse the government’s commitment to combat discrimination against LGBTI persons.

    Stakeholder Summary:
    Para 69) ERI noted that police reportedly often refused to open cases of domestic abuse. JS6 indicated that despite efforts made, studies continued to note persistent problems with the police management of cases of sexual offences including refusal to accept rape complaints.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Austria

    Austria
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
    • Violence on the basis of gender identity
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Publically denounce crimes committed against LGBTs and to conduct thorough investigations into and prosecutions of these attacks.
    Explanation
    A Policy Framework on Combating Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Unfair Discrimination is at an advanced stage of finalisation. This is currently serving in the Top Structures of government where after it will be taken on an intensive national consultative process. Consequently these processes will inform national legislation which is expected to be promulgated within the 2013-2014 Parliamentary calendar. The development of this policy integrates international norms and standards. At the International level, South Africa has successfully piloted a resolution on Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at the 17th Session of the HRC calling for non-discrimination in this regard. In a seminal case law a South African judge has recently sentenced four 18 year olds to an effective jail term of 18 years for the rape of a lesbian woman.
  • 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:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Closely collaborate with UNICEF and UNAIDS in order to implement programmes aimed at reducing the cases of Mother-to-Child HIV Infections.
    Explanation
    South Africa hosts the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Regional Office for Southern Africa (OHCHR: ROSA). All the relevant United Nations Agencies, Programmes and Funds are also accredited to South Africa and work collaboratively with government under the guidance of the UNDP to advance the governments programmes towards achieving its national priorities. These include, amongst others: UNICEF, UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNAIDS, UNWOMEN, UNHCR, IOM, UNFAO, UNODC. South Africa has recently (September 2012) renewed its Country Programme Documents with UNICEF, UNAIDS and UNFPA in accordance with the Basic Cooperation Agreement with the UN aimed at intensifying international cooperation between the country and the UN to achieve all the health related MDGs.
    Implementation
    National Report Annex:
    FULL IMPLEMENTATION

    The rollout of programmes is closely linked with the on-going work of relevant UN agencies such as WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNAIDS and UNWOMEN.

  • 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:
    12th session, October 2011
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    ... CEDAW noted with satisfaction the establishment of the Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality branch within that Ministry, but was concerned about the Ministry's weak institutional capacity. [Para 8]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Stakeholder Summary

    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    13th session, June 2012
    Status:
    Reference Addressed
    Contents:
    SAHRC welcomed the reinstatement of the specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in 2011, but noted that measures to protect and provide redress to women at risk of, or subjected to gender-based violence needed to be strengthened. Perpetrators needed to be held to account and training be provided to police and the judiciary. [Para 6]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    National Report

    Issue:
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Review Documentation
    Session:
    27th Session May 2017
    Status:
    N/A
    Contents:
    In 2014, the Government finalised a National Strategy for Inter-sectoral Management of Sexual Offences which encourages the inter-sectoral approach to all matters relating to sexual offences courts. It sets out clear duties and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the establishment and management of these courts. The National Strategic Plan also provides for the minimum uniformed personnel required at each sexual offence court. All victims should have access to services such as court preparation programme; information materials in the form of text, visuals and Braille; allocation of food for children, vicarious trauma programmes for personnel working with victims of sexual violence as well as a case-flow management system and screening policy to direct sexual offences cases to sexual offences courts where they are established. [Para 65]
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Mongolia

    Mongolia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Issue:
    • International human rights instruments
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance as well as the OP-CRC-IC.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Malaysia

    Malaysia
    Regional group
    Asia-Pacific Group
    Political group
    ASEAN
    OIC
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • HIV and AIDS
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission including by raising awareness and providing affordable medicines to people in need of life-saving treatment.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Mauritania

    Mauritania
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    OIC
    AL
    OIF
    Issue:
    • Women's and / or girls' rights
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen and intensify efforts related to the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Namibia

    Namibia
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Strengthen the monitoring and implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-based Violence and Femicide.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

    South Africa
    Regional group
    Africa Group
    Political group
    AU
    Commonwealth
    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:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Accelerate progress to address Gender Based Violence, including abhorrent practices like so called 'corrective rape', by implementing the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.
  • State Under Review:

    South Africa

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

    Germany

    Germany
    Regional group
    WEOG
    Political group
    EU
    Issue:
    • Violence against women / gender-based violence
    • Sexual violence
    Type:
    Recommendation
    Session:
    41st session, November 2022
    Status:
    Accepted
    Contents:
    Enhance measures to protect victims of gender based and sexual violence from secondary victimization by frontline workers, such as police, ensure access to justice by tackling the backlogs and duration of court cases, and create sufficient shelter infrastructure.

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