Maldives have held discussions with United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on improving the democratic principles and in the promotion and protection of human rights in the country; forming an important pillar of the new foreign policy. The discussions took place during a meeting held between Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid today and the visiting delegation of OHCHR. The delegation is presently on an official visit to Maldives from March 3-7, and is being led by Chief of Rule of Law Division of the OHCHR Mona Rishwami.
During the meeting held at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions also ensued on the recent positive developments in Maldives in the fields of democracy and human rights, and Foreign Minister Shahid reiterated the importance of renewed cooperation and engagement between OHCHR and Maldives. He also noted the readiness of the administration in facilitating the visits of United Nations bodies and special procedures mandate holders.
The purpose of the visit by the OHCHR delegation is to get updates on the state party reports to the treaty bodies, engagement with special procedures and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and to assess how OHCHR can assist in the efforts to improving human rights in Maldives. In this regard, the mission has met with key cabinet ministers, government and independent institutions, including the recently established Presidential Commissions on Murders and Enforced Disappearances and Prisons Audit Commission and detention facilities. As part of this engagement, OHCHR has already agreed to provide a human rights advisor that would be based in Maldives to advise and assist the government in fulfilling its human rights obligations.
The meeting was attended by United Nations Resident Coordinator in Maldives Shoko Nada and Associate Expert at OHCHR Chiaki Ota.