In Geneva, the United Nations Human Rights Council's 50th Session Has Begun!

The United Nations Human Rights Council's 50th Session began today in Geneva, Switzerland, and will last four weeks, ending on July 8^th, 2022. The Maldives' delegation will constructively engage in Interactive Dialogues and Panel Debates, as well as participate in discussions over resolutions, in keeping with the government's core policies and priorities.
 
Maldives will present two resolutions to the Human Rights Council during this session, along with the core groups on Freedom of Association and Assembly and the Independence and Impartiality of the Judiciary, Jurors and Assessors, and the Independence of Lawyers.
 
The Maldives will also hold a side session titled "Freedom of association and assembly in 2022 and Beyond: Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities," alongside the core group of countries. The Maldives will also participate actively in the negotiations and will co-sponsor a number of resolutions.
 
During many interactive conversations, the Maldives will deliver national statements and engage in panel discussions on major priority issues. These include agenda themes such as East Jerusalem, climate change, health, education, discrimination against women, and state responses to the epidemic in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
 
The Maldives will also take part in the High-Level Commemorative Event for the Human Rights Council's 50th Session, which will take place on June 15, 2022. His Excellency Abdulla Shahid, President of the 76th Session of the General Assembly, will deliver the Key Note Address at the Commemorative Event.
 
Dr. Asim Ahmed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, leads the Maldives mission to the Human Rights Council's 50th session. Ms. Hawla Ahmed Didi, the Maldives' Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, Mr. Hassan Hussain Shihab, Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, and Mr. Adam Hamid, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will also be part of the delegation.
 
From 2011 to 2016, Maldives was a member of the Human Rights Council for two conservative terms. Throughout 2013, the Maldives served as the Council's Vice-President, representing the Asia-Pacific Group. The Maldives has submitted its candidacy to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, with elections to be held during the United Nations General Assembly's 77th Session in New York in October 2022.
 
The Human Rights Council is an international body within the United Nations System that is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. It is made up of 47 member states.