The Maldives co-sponsored a resolution titled ‘Countering Religious Hatred Constituting Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility or Violence’ at the 53rd session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, which concluded in Geneva on Friday.
The resolution was adopted following an urgent debate held at the request of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was aimed at bringing attention to the recent attacks on the sanctity of the Holy Quran. The resolution resolutely condemns and expresses profound indignation at the desecration of the Holy Quran.
During the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Maldivian delegation delivered 32 national statements on a plethora of thematic areas and co-sponsored 13 other resolutions. The 14 resolutions Maldives co-sponsored are the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, the 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, according to the foreign ministry.
The Maldives also co-sponsored 34 joint statements delivered at the council, including statements by the OIC among others. On behalf of the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the delegation delivered a statement at the annual panel discussion on the theme of adverse impacts of climate change on the full realisation of the right to food, reiterating the group’s commitment to work collectively to build resilient food systems that safeguard the right to food in order to ensure a sustainable future for all.
In addition, the Maldives participated in the cross-regional core group that drafted the resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. This resolution, which garnered support from over 71 co-sponsors at the time, was adopted by consensus.
The Maldives delegation at the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council was led by Dr Asim Ahmed, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva. Dr. Asim Ahmed, who serves as the vice president of the council representing the Asia Pacific group, also presided over several meetings of the council during the session.
