Singling out the rape threat against G25 spokesperson Noor Farida Ariffin as an example, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said that more needs to be done to protect women from violence and threats in the country.

Such incidents noted the commission, is "a violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, and impairing and nullifying their enjoyment of those rights and freedoms".

"Such threats should not be tolerated, or be treated with impunity," its chairperson Hasmy Agam said in a statement yesterday.

He reminded the government that making changes in policies and legislation to meet the requirements of gender equality and elimination of all forms of discrimination, including violence, against women is a requirement of international agreements that Malaysia is party to.

"The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to which Malaysia is a state party since 1995, calls for the elimination of all types of discrimination, prejudice and gender stereotyping in upholding the fundamental rights and freedoms of women, including freedom from violence.

"The commission recalls the UN declaration on the elimination of violence against women adopted on Dec 20, 1993, to strengthen and complement CEDAW in the elimination of violence against women.

"Closer to home, the Asean governments affirmed their stand on violence against women when they adopted the declaration on the elimination of violence against women and elimination of violence against Children in Asean," read Suhakam's statement further.

Other than lamenting government inaction in Noor Farida's ( photo ) case, the commission also expressed concern that the vocal ex-diplomat often critical of the government is being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 for recent comments she made.

"Voices critical of the government and its policies should not be seen as seditious," stressed the commission, reminding authorities that the right to freedom of expression is enshrined under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The ex-diplomat was reportedly threatened with rape by a Facebook user over her criticisms of the intrusion of personal space which she claimed is prohibited in Islam, during khalwat raids by religious authorities.

Inaction by authorities over the matter has drawn brickbats especially with what many see as selective prosecution, if not persecution, of critics of the government for lesser acts.