LGBTI rights in Malaysia: women publicly caned

Source: S.H. (Sophie) in 't Veld i, published on Wednesday, September 5 2018.

Today Sophie in 't Veld submitted the following questions to the HRVP Ms Mogherini, following the news of two women who were publicly caned in Malaysia for having same-sex relations.

Question for written answer

to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Rule 130

Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE)

Subject: LGBTI rights in Malaysia: women publicly caned

It was reported on September 3rd, 2018, that two Malaysian women were publicly caned at the Sharia High Court in Malaysia, because of an alleged attempt to have same-sex sexual relationships. Samesex relationships are in violation of the strict Sharia laws that are operative in a few Malaysian states. It was reported that this has been Malaysia’s first public caning, even though there have been severe challenges to LGBTI rights in Malaysia for a long time. People should not be punished because of same-sex preferences, let alone being publicly caned for it. We consider this a violation of human rights and therefore unacceptable.

  • 1. 
    Is the HR/VP aware of this situation, and does the HR/VP agree that this is an unacceptable violation of human rights?
  • 2. 
    If the HR/VP was aware of this, how has it brought this human rights violation to the attention of the Malaysian authorities, and what does the HR/VP intend to do to address this issue as soon as possible?
  • 3. 
    More broadly, how does the HR/VP intend to put LGBTI rights on the political agenda regarding its cooperation with the Malaysian government, including using its trade relations as leverage?

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