Maldives reviewed by UN's Universal Periodic Review

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, on Wednesday, began reviewing Maldives at the third cycle of its Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The session was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, utilizing a hybrid model of in-person and remote participation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Attorney General's Office, this specific review cycle is "uniquely significant" as Maldives is represented by a delegation comprising of several cabinet ministers - a first for the country.

The Maldivian delegation, which is participating virtually, is headed by Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath, while Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office Dr Asim Ahmed in Geneva and officials from the Permanent Mission will participate in the session in person.

Thematic interventions on various sectors will be delivered by Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi, Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, and Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla.

Interventions will similarly cover the progress achieved and plan of actions in areas of justice and legal sector reform, protection of vulnerable groups, reforming law enforcement agencies, freedom of expression and association, as well as migrant workers and human trafficking.

Maldives also commented on the information presented by the country in its 'National Report' submitted on February 3, including stakeholder reports by civil society organizations, UN bodies and the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

A total of 97 countries are expected to present recommendations on the situation of human rights in the archipelago.

The delegation has until December 14 to decide on its positions in response to the recommendations it receives.

The UPR process aims to improve the human rights situations in all countries, along with addressing violations. It involves a review of the human rights records of all member states of the UN, where each state declares the actions taken to improve the human rights situations in their respective countries.

The UPR Working Group holds three two-week sessions per year. The UPR is currently in the midst of its Third Cycle review which began in 2017 and will conclude in 2021.