Rituals and Resistance: Sexual Rights in the Second Cycle of the UPR

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) holds a unique role and space in the human rights
system. This report provides an overview of how sexual rights have been addressed through the
second cycle of the UPR—by CSOs (particularly those SRI partnered with on stakeholder
submissions), states under review (SuR) (in their national reports, and in their responses to
the recommendations they receive) by recommending states, and to a lesser extent by the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its preparation of summary
reports. The report attempts to uncover trends and developments which can be useful for
state and non-state sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRHR) advocates in their
future engagement with the UPR.