A delegation from Maldives has actively participated in the 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council wrapped up in Geneva, on Friday.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Dr. Asim Ahmed led the Maldives Delegation at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Dr. Asim Ahmed chaired several meetings of the Council as the Vice President of the Council, representing the Asia Pacific Group.

During the session, 31 resolutions were adopted, and the Maldives’ delegation delivered 32 national statements on an array of thematic areas.

The archipelago nation co-sponsored 14 resolutions at the session including the Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, Contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, Negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and the mandate renewal of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities among others.

The island nation was included among the cross-regional core group that drafted the resolution on the Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the main objective of this resolution is to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers for a further period of three years.

Adopted by consensus, the resolution had over 71 co-sponsors supporting the resolution at the time of adoption.

An urgent debate was held on 11th July in response to a request by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The debate revolved around the purpose of bringing attention to the recent attacks on the sanctity of Holy Quran.

Maldives was a proud co-sponsor of the resolution titled “Countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence” which was adopted after the urgent debate at the 53rd Session and fervently condemns the desecration of the Holy Quran.

In addition to this, Maldives co-sponsored 34 joint statements delivered at the Council including statements by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation among others.

On behalf of the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the archipelago nation also delivered a statement at the Annual Panel Discussion on the theme of Adverse Impacts of Climate Change on the full realization of the right to food and reiterated SIDS commitment to work collectively to build resilient food systems that safeguard the right to food to ensure a sustainable future for all.