India must review laws to check crime against women: Amnesty

New Delhi: India must commit to extensive reforms to uphold women`s rights, Amnesty International has suggested to a UN committee which is reviewing implementation of law and policies related to discrimination and violence against women across the globe.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as part of its 58th Session in Geneva today, will also review India`s implementation of laws and policies related to discrimination and violence against women. In a statement issued here today, Amnesty International said it has submitted its observations to the Committee pointing out that discrimination against women remains entrenched in law and practise in India, and the number of reported crimes is rising despite new laws being enacted. "Violence against women remains widespread and pervasive in India. Although there were some positive steps taken after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, there has been very little done since," claimed Gopika Bashi, Women`s Rights Researcher at Amnesty International India. The submission to the UN Committee also highlights concerns regarding the discriminatory concept of modesty in criminal law, the imposition of the death penalty for certain crimes, violence against women from marginalised communities and attitudes displayed by some political leaders toward violence against women.