The Maldives will present constructive recommendations to 14 countries on improving human rights protections during the 53rd Session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which opened today in Geneva.
The two-week session, running until 13 November 2026, is being held at the Palais des Nations, where the UN Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group will examine the human rights records of 14 Member States.
The Maldivian delegation is led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Dr Salma Rasheed. It also includes Counsellors Adam Hamid and Uza. Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, and Second Secretary Aishath Rayahyn from the Permanent Mission.
The Maldives will participate in the review in line with the Government’s key policies and priorities, offering recommendations to all 14 States under review.
The countries undergoing review are Antigua and Barbuda, Eswatini, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania and the United States.
The UPR Working Group convenes three sessions annually. The current Fourth Cycle began in November 2022 and is scheduled to conclude in 2027.
The UPR is a State-driven mechanism that examines the human rights records of all UN Member States. It provides countries with an opportunity to report on progress in fulfilling their human rights obligations and commitments, while allowing other Member States to make recommendations for further improvement.