UN Special Rapporteur Conducts Debriefing Session With Government

The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and preservation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the fight against terrorism will hold a debriefing session with the Maldives' government. Ms. Fionnuala N Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while combatting terrorism, will visit the Maldives from May 15^th to 24^th, 2022, and will participate in a debriefing session tomorrow. The meeting will take place in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
During her visit, the Government organized meetings for the SR with 22 important stakeholders, including senior officials from Government Ministries and Departments, as well as independent institutions and commissions; and arranged for unrestricted access to detention facilities, including prisons.
 
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih took office in 2018 promising to restore the rule of law and preserve human rights and fundamental freedoms. Since then, the government has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining core human rights values and prioritizing the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. On this front, the government has made tremendous progress in terms of recognizing the growing threat of terrorism in the Maldives, developing a comprehensive counter-terrorism plan, and improving operational capabilities.
 
Most notably, this administration has championed key legislative revisions to enhance the legal framework in this sector, as well as to connect the relevant domestic legislation with worldwide best practices and threat environment dynamics. The administration is also focused on implementing the National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism.
 
The Maldives government will now be ready to accept the Special Rapporteur's recommendations, which she will give at the end of her visit tomorrow. The government is optimistic that the proposals will help to enhance current systems in the Maldives to promote institutional accountability and security, as well as establish additional safeguards to prevent potential abuses of human rights.
 
Following the submission of the Special Rapporteur's report, the Maldives will make every effort to implement the recommendations and reply to any additional questions from the Special Rapporteur's team and other UN bodies, with the support and help of international partners. The Government of the Maldives thanks the Special Rapporteur and her team for coming to the Maldives and engaging constructively with state institutions.