The 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Concludes
On Friday, the 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva, Switzerland. The Maldives Delegation actively participated in the 53rd Session and delivered 32 national statements on a wide array of thematic areas.
During the session, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted 31 resolutions out of which 14 were co-sponsored by the Maldives. The co-sponsored resolutions included the Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, Contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, Negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and the mandate renewal of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities among others.
The Maldives delegation was also part of the cross-regional core group that drafted the resolution on the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. The main objective of the latter is to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers for an additional period of three years. This proposed resolution was adopted by consensus and had more than 71 co-sponsors supporting the resolution at the time of adoption.
Additionally, the Maldives also co-sponsored 34 joint statements delivered at the Council. This included statements by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation among others. Likewise, The Maldives delivered a statement at the Annual Panel Discussion on the theme of Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on behalf of the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The statement zeroed in on the full realization of the right to food and reiterated SIDS’ commitment to work collectively to build resilient food systems that safeguard the right to food to ensure a sustainable future for all.
In response to a request by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), an urgent debate was held on 11th July with the purpose of bringing attention to the recent attacks on the sanctity of the Holy Quran. The Maldives was a proud co-sponsor of the resolution titled “Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.” This resolution, adopted after the urgent debate at the 53rd Session, strongly condemns the desecration of the Holy Quran.