| For a summary of Uruguay’s review at the second cycle please click here. |
5th UPR session
Date of review: 11 May 2009
Date of report adoption: 4 June 2009
Document number: A/HRC/12/12
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SUMMARY SOGIESC issues during Uruguay’s 1st UPR review |
I. SOGIESC issues/recommendations identified by NGOs
No references.
II. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues from the national report
Right to free sexual orientation and gender identity
74. The adoption in 2003 of the amendment to article 149 of the Criminal Code penalizing public incitement to hatred, contempt and other forms of physical or moral violence by reason of skin colour, race, religion, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation and/or identity was a vital step in the struggle against all forms of discrimination. It was followed, a year later, by the Act against Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, which established the Honorary Commission against Racism, Xenophobia and All Other Forms of Discrimination, comprising representatives of public institutions and social organizations, with authority to receive complaints. This put an end to the lack of specific structures for combating discrimination, but the Commission must further increase its capacity to take initiatives and engage in activities in order to perform at the level sought.
75. During the past four years, the country has made progress in recognizing and expanding the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. Uruguay is the first Latin American country to have legislated for the union of same-sex couples. The Concubinary Union Act of 2007, which also covers heterosexual couples, protects and regulates the rights of couples with five continuous years of cohabitation, independently of the sex of the partners.
76. There is a bill pending adoption in Parliament (already approved by the Senate) recognizing the right of every person to the free development of his personality in accordance with his own gender identity without, in any circumstance, requiring sex-change surgery. This right includes the right to be identified in such a way that the person’s gender can be fully recognized, and consistency between this identity and the name and sex given in the person’s identification documents (Civil Registry entries and identity, electoral, travel and other documents). In the international arena, the country has been active in promoting and protecting the rights of sexual minorities.
III. Excerpts on SOGIESC issues by UN agencies
No references.
IV. References to SOGIESC issues during the Working Group review
No references.
V. Conclusions and/or recommendations
Uruguay did not receive any recommendations on SOGIESC issues.
VI. Further information
You will find all documents relating to Uruguay’s first review at UPR-Info and OHCHR’s websites.