We refer to the Malaysiakini report On Protest against anti-tomboy fatwa .

The Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI) voices their opposition to the recent fatwa rulings on tomboys and yoga

The Women's Candidacy Initiative opposes any form of regulating that undermines a person's human rights and our parliamentary democratic processes.

We note first that the recent fatwa rulings on tomboys and yoga go against the basic principles of any religion that first and foremost recognise the individual's autonomy over her own mind, body, heart and soul.

Secondly, the fatwa ruling on tomboys clearly contravenes Article 8 of the federal constitution that guarantees from discrimination on grounds including gender and religion.

This fatwa also violates Malaysia's international commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).

The fatwa on yoga is also considered a violation to Malaysia's commitment to Cedaw, which includes issues of a woman's autonomy and control over her own body and her health.

Thirdly, the Women's Candidacy Initiative opposes these fatwa as unwarranted exercises of authority into the private lives and consciences of Malaysian citizens.

Legal authority in a democracy must be granted by the people and laws ought be made only by democratically-elected representatives.

Such fatwa - which have legal effect - dis-empower the citizenry. The Women's Candidacy Initiative, conversely, is working towards the political empowerment of under-represented groups which include, among others, women and members of gender/ sexual minorities.

We note in conclusion that assumptions and presumptions of guilt based on a person's physical appearance or how they dress or how they behave when these in themselves do no harm to others and are positive expressions of self-identity endangers the very foundations and ideals of civility and our constitutional liberties.

The Women's Candidacy Initiative calls on religious authorities to refrain from intervening in the personal lives of all Malaysians – especially when such interventions have legal effect – which will lead to the dis-empowerment and marginalisation of segments of the citizenry.

The writers represent the Women’s Candidacy Initiative.