The Maldives, during the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to be held from 9 September to 11 October, will deliver national statements under several agenda items, highlighting the current administration’s key policies and priorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
The Maldives will also, during the session’s Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s Analytical Study on Climate Change, deliver a joint statement on behalf of a group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based in Geneva, the Ministry said in a statement on Monday. The statement is expected to focus on how loss and damage caused by climate change impacts the full enjoyment of human rights.
According to the Ministry, the session will additionally hold a presentation of the country report on the Maldives following the visit to the Maldives, from 12 to 21 March 2024, by the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Livingstone Sewanyana.
The Maldives, as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and having consistently expressed concerns about the escalating trend of human rights violations worldwide, will address these issues by delivering national statements during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, while also focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Palestine across various agenda items, the Ministry said.
The Maldives delegation will be led by Ambassador Salma Rasheed and will include Counsellor Adam Hamid, Counsellor Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, Second Secretary Maryam Fathika Fayaz, Third Secretary Aminath Shadha and Attaché Raaidh Saeedh, of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Offices at Geneva, the Ministry confirmed.
The Human Rights Council, established in 2006, is the main intergovernmental body within the United Nations responsible for human rights. Composed of 47 member states, it is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. It responds to human rights emergencies and makes recommendations on how to better implement human rights on the ground. The Maldives is currently a member of the Human Rights Council, with its current term expiring in 2025.
