SUHAKAM’s REPORT TO THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) (hereafter referred to as “the Commission”) is an independent statutory body established under an Act of Parliament namely, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 to promote and protect human rights in Malaysia. 1.2 This report is the Commission’s report to the CEDAW Committee. This report highlights the observations by the Commission on how the Government has implemented the comments and recommendations of Concluding Comments made by the CEDAW Committee.1 In addition, reference was also made to the recommendations to the Government of Malaysia arising from the Universal Periodic Report (UPR) in 2009. The opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the Commission. 1.3 In preparing this report, the Commission took into consideration the consultations held with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Government agencies in recent years. The Commission also monitored and conducted research in regard to the legislative and policy development of women’s rights in Malaysia. 2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 Malaysia ratified CEDAW in 1995 and hence committed itself to the principles and human rights obligation at the international level. Initially, Malaysia had made several reservations to CEDAW.2 2.2 On 6 February 1998, Malaysia withdrew its reservations in respect of Articles 2(f), 9(1), 16(1) (b), 16(1) (d), 16(1) (e) and 16(1) (h). In July 2010, Malaysia took further positive step and withdrew reservations to Articles 5(a), 7(b) and 16(2). 1 2 See CEDAW/C/MYS/CO/2 Articles 2(f), 5(a), 7(b), 9 and 16. 1