Suhakam calls for femicide to be recognised in law, tougher action on gender-based violence

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has called on the government to formally recognize femicide in the legal framework, describing it as the most severe form of gender-based violence against women and girls.

Suhakam emphasized the need for stronger laws, early intervention, and coordinated action to prevent femicide, which it says reflects broader gender discrimination and inequality issues.

The commission highlighted the importance of identifying risks and strengthening prevention and accountability measures and recommended reviewing existing laws, improving data collection, and enhancing safety and support systems.

Citing international conventions, Suhakam urged the government to commit to eliminating discrimination against women, emphasizing the shared responsibility of government and society to ensure women and girls live free from violence.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government to recognise femicide in the country’s legal framework. It described femicide as the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women and girls.

“Such violence extends beyond individual acts of criminal conduct and reflects broader patterns of discrimination, gender inequality and shortcomings in preventing and addressing violence against women and girls,” it said in a statement today.

The commission described femicide as “a preventable human rights violation requiring stronger laws, early intervention, accessible protection mechanisms and coordinated action”.

“Recognising their gender-related nature is essential to understanding the underlying causes, identifying risks and strengthening prevention, protection and accountability measures,” it said.

The call follows a briefing on October 15 by Suhakam commissioner Melissa Mohd Akhir to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Women, Children and Community Development.

The committee is chaired by Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin.

Suhakam said “preventing femicide requires action before violence escalates into the loss of life”.

It called for existing laws to be reviewed so femicide is recognised as a distinct form of gender-based violence. It also asked for a national body to coordinate and monitor efforts against such violence at federal, state and local levels, backed by better data collection.

It also urged safer cities and communities through better street lighting, safer public transport, accessible reporting mechanisms and secure schools. It asked media organisations and digital platforms to curb victim-blaming and content that normalises gender-based violence.

The commission said sufficient funding was needed for shelters, psychosocial services, legal aid and women’s organisations, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

Citing Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution and Malaysia’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw), Suhakam said the government must pursue a policy of eliminating discrimination against women without delay.

Marking the International Day of the Girl Child this month, the commission said “every woman and girl has the right to live free from violence and fear, and that safeguarding this right is a shared responsibility of the government and society”.

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马来西亚人权委员会（Suhakam）呼吁政府在法律框架内正式承认杀害女性罪，称其为针对妇女和女孩的最严重的性别暴力形式。

泰国人权委员会强调，需要制定更强有力的法律、及早干预和协调行动来防止杀害女性，该委员会表示，杀害女性反映了更广泛的性别歧视和不平等问题。

委员会强调了识别风险、加强预防和问责措施的重要性，并建议审查现有法律、改进数据收集以及加强安全和支持系统。

马来西亚人权委员会援引国际公约，敦促政府致力于消除对妇女的歧视，强调政府和社会有共同责任确保妇女和女童免受暴力侵害。

吉隆坡，10月20日讯——马来西亚人权委员会（Suhakam）敦促政府将杀害女性行为纳入国家法律框架。该委员会称，杀害女性是针对妇女和女童最极端的性别暴力形式。

“这种暴力行为不仅限于个人犯罪行为，还反映了更广泛的歧视模式、性别不平等以及在预防和应对针对妇女和女孩的暴力行为方面的不足，”该组织今天在一份声明中表示。

委员会将杀害女性描述为“一种可预防的侵犯人权行为，需要更强有力的法律、早期干预、便捷的保护机制和协调一致的行动”。

报告称：“认识到这些问题的性别关联性对于了解其根本原因、识别风险以及加强预防、保护和问责措施至关重要。”

此前，马来西亚人权委员会专员梅丽莎·莫哈末·阿基尔于 10 月 15 日向国会妇女、儿童和社区发展特别委员会作了简报。

该委员会由蒲种国会议员杨美盈担任主席。

人权委员会表示，“防止杀害女性需要在暴力升级为生命损失之前采取行动”。

该报告呼吁审查现行法律，将杀害女性行为认定为一种独立的性别暴力形式。报告还要求设立一个国家机构，协调和监督联邦、州和地方各级打击此类暴力行为的行动，并加强数据收集工作。

报告还敦促通过改善路灯照明、保障公共交通安全、建立便捷的举报机制和加强校园安全来建设更安全的城市和社区。报告要求媒体机构和数字平台遏制对受害者的指责以及将性别暴力正常化的内容。

委员会表示，需要为庇护所、心理社会服务、法律援助和妇女组织提供充足的资金，尤其是在农村和欠发达社区。

马来西亚人权委员会援引联邦宪法第 8(2) 条以及马来西亚在《消除对妇女一切形式歧视公约》（CEDAW）下的义务表示，政府必须立即推行消除对妇女歧视的政策。

值此本月国际女童日之际，该委员会表示，“每个妇女和女孩都有权生活在免受暴力和恐惧的环境中，保障这项权利是政府和社会的共同责任”。

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