Maldives has been taken off the ‘Human Rights Priority Countries’ list compiled by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

Maldives removal from the list will pave way for relations between the United Kingdom and the island nation to rise to new heights.

Following this, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid took to Twitter, highlighting that it is a “clear” and “resounding” recognition by the international community, of the president’s focus on promoting and protecting human rights.

The protection and promotion of human rights in the Maldives is a key priority of the incumbent administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, as well as a key pillar of his foreign policy.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet have also acknowledged the Solih administration’s efforts to promote and protect human rights.

Alongside Maldives, Burundi has also been removed from the list, with Belarus, Mali and Nicaragua added to the list this year.

President Solih has on countless occasions reiterated commitment to uphold and promote human rights without discrimination, in the recovery and resilience efforts against the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic. The island nation’s progress in human rights since the incumbent administration took over, has been notable.