The government of Maldives is participating in the 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The 53rd Session of the UNHRC commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

It will proceed through July 14 and the delegation from Maldives will be delivering national statements under several agenda items, in accordance with the government’s key policies and priorities.

Further, the Maldives’ delegation is scheduled to deliver a joint statement for the Annual Panel on Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on behalf of a group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based in Geneva.

Jointly with a cross regional core group, Maldives will be presenting a resolution extending the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers as well.

The delegation from Maldives is being led by Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Offices at Geneva Dr. Asim Ahmed.

The delegation comprises of Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN Offices at Geneva Hawla Ahmed Didi, Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the UN Offices at Geneva Hassan Hussain Shihab, Counsellor of the Maldives Mission to the UN Offices at Geneva Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, Second Secretary of the Maldives Mission to the UN Offices at Geneva Maryam Fathika Fayaz and Third Secretary of the Maldives Mission to the UN Offices at Geneva, Nafha Hassan.

The Maldives actively participated in the 52nd Session of the UNHRC during April this year, as well. At the 52nd session, Maldives delivered 29 national statements on an array of thematic areas of the Human Rights Council. The Maldives co-sponsored 19 resolutions, including mandate renewal for Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Maldives also co-sponsored thematic resolutions on the right to food, efficient public services delivery, democracy and the rule of law, among others.

The Maldives also co-sponsored 33 joint statements delivered at the council.

Dr. Asim led the delegation that time round as well.