UN Considers Maldives' Human Rights Record

The Maldives' human rights record was today scrutinized by the United Nations Human Rights Council, as the country underwent the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process in Geneva. The UPR is a peer review mechanism under which each member state of the UN must, every four years, report to the Human Rights Council on achievements and challenges in the pursuit of the full enjoyment on human rights. In addition to the State report, the UN system and NGOs also offer their own independent perspectives on the country under review.

The Maldives national report was presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, and the Attorney General, Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad. The President of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives Ms. Mariyam Azra, and Representatives from Maldivian human rights NGOs were also present at the review.

In his opening statement, the Foreign Minister noted that he had come to Geneva to listen and discuss, rather than to defend, and that he was keen to take the recommendations of the international community back to the Maldives. He offered the Human Rights Council a short overview of the sweeping democratic and human rights changes that have taken place over recent years, before identifying the ten greatest human rights challenges facing the Maldives today. These included: dealing with past human rights abuses while not putting the future at risk; democratic consolidation; strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption; improving law and order and strengthening the capacity of the judiciary; promoting gender equality; responding to extremist religious views; and dealing with drug abuse and related criminality.

In the interactive debate which followed, over 50 States took the floor to ask questions and offer recommendations for improvement. All those States welcomed the remarkable progress achieved by the Maldives over recent years in pursuing its democratic transition and in strengthening human rights and commended the process of national consultation followed by the Government in the preparation of its Report. States further noted that the Maldives is seen as one of the success stories of the international human rights system, a point epitomized by its recent election to the Human Rights Council.

UN member states noted particular progress in areas such as freedom of expression; freedom of association and assembly; the right to vote and to choose one's leaders, and torture prevention.

However, States also reflected on a range of areas of concern including women's rights, children's rights, freedom of religion, penal reform, judicial reform, and the practice of public flogging.

States offered the Maldives approximately 130 recommendations for action to further improve human rights in the country.

In his closing remarks, the Foreign Minister committed to consider all the recommendations in consultation with Cabinet colleagues, the Majlis, the HRCM and with civil society, and to report back to the Council on which ones it can accept and agree to implement.

“In our view, to achieve that translation from rhetoric into real change, the Government needs to consult with and seek the support of all national stakeholders in the Maldives. With that in mind, my delegation has decided to hold as pending all the recommendations we have received today, and to respond to all of them in full at the next session of the Human Rights Council”, said Minister Shaheed.

In concluding, the Minister paid tribute to Maldivians for the success the small island nation has achieved and their determination to seek a better future.