A delegation from Maldives has actively participated in the 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council wrapped up in Geneva, on Thursday.

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 54th 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, 36 resolutions were adopted, and 12 Special Procedure mandate holders were appointed.

The Maldives’ delegation delivered 30 national statements on an array of thematic areas.

The archipelago nation co-sponsored 14 resolutions at the session including the Human rights of older persons, Promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities, Contribution of the implementation of the objectives of the International Year of the Family and its follow-up processes in the promotion and protection of Human Rights, Realization of the equal enjoyment of the right to education by every girl and the resolution on Enforced or involuntary disappearances.

Further, the island nation also co-sponsored 33 joint statements delivered at the council including statements by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation and Non Aligned Movement (NAM), among others.

On behalf of the group of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Maldives also delivered two joint statements at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, and the Biennial Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights respectively.

The delegation from Maldives also participated in 51 side events held during the session.

At the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council held back in July 2023, Maldives co-sponsored 14 resolutions as well.

The island nation was also 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.

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