C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
Domestic and gender-based violence
24. While the Committee notes with appreciation that Macao, China, has elaborated a draft law on the prevention of domestic violence, it is concerned that the current scope of the draft is not extended to all individuals in an intimate relationship regardless of their sexual orientation. The Committee appreciates the information on the number of complaints on gender-based violence provided during the dialogue, but regrets the lack of data on the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions related to this type of violence, which impedes the evaluation by the Committee of the effectiveness of the decisions taken against these crimes (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16).
25. Macao, China, should:
(a) Promptly adopt legislation on domestic violence that protects all victims of such violence without discrimination and ensures that domestic violence is considered a criminal offence subject to ex officio prosecution;
(b) Conduct prompt, effective and impartial investigations into all incidents of gender-based and domestic violence and prosecute and punish perpetrators in accordance with the gravity of their acts;
(c) Sensitize and train law enforcement personnel, social welfare officials, prosecutors and members of the judiciary on the investigation, prosecution and sanctioning of cases of domestic and gender-based violence and on creating the appropriate conditions for victims to report such cases to the authorities;
(d) Strengthen public awareness-raising campaigns to fight domestic violence and gender stereotypes;
(e) Ensure that victims of domestic violence benefit from effective protection and have access to sufficient and adequately funded shelters, medical and legal aid, psychosocial counselling and social support schemes.
Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CAT-China-Macao-2015-eng