Minister Of Foreign Affairs Highlight Strides Made By Maldives In Upholding And Protecting Human Rights
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Shahid delivered a statement today at the High Level Segment of the 46th Session of United Nations Human Rights Council. In his remarks, he stresses on the fact that Maldives has been making significant progress in upholding and protecting human rights since the Government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office in November 2018. Accordingly, he proudly notes the following as strides made in the field of human rights, both at home and abroad.
· Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in December 2020
· Ratification of the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 2019
· Successful completion of the third cycle review at the Universal Periodic Review with intent to implement recommendations provided by Member States
· Steps undertaken by the Government to prevent human trafficking, to reform prisons and to uphold the rule of law with stress on the recent establishment of the Office of Ombudsperson for Transitional Justice, which has provided an avenue to redress past injustices
· Ensuring the protection and empowerment of women, children and persons with disabilities
1 Promoting equal professional growth for women in the workforce free from prejudice
2 Launch of the nationwide campaign against domestic violence
3 Protecting the rights of juveniles by the ratification of the First Amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act of 2019 in December 2020
· Ensuring that people with disabilities and the elderly have unhindered access to social and medical services amidst the pandemic
At the end of his remarks, he reassured the nation’s commitment in working collaboratively and constructively with the international community to additionally build on the accomplishments the nation has received up until now.
Most importantly, he also expressed the Maldives’ intention to stand as a candidate for this Council, for the term 2023 to 2025.