Maldives has voted in favor of a United Nations resolution calling for freedom to practice any religion.

Maldives voted "Yes" on the resolution titled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe" on April 16. The resolution was presented for adoption at the 81st UN General Assembly on April 16. Maldives voted in favor of its adoption.

The resolution calls for the UN to work with the Council of Europe to "protect all human rights".

The resolution states that the UN and the Council of Europe will work together to "promote freedom and protect the rights and dignity of all members of society without discrimination, including freedom of expression, thought, religion or belief".

In addition to this, the resolution highlights promoting democracy, governance, rule of law and good governance, preventing torture at all levels, preventing inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and working against terrorism.

The resolution was passed with the votes of 105 countries, including the Maldives. When the Maldives voted for the resolution, it included matters that conflict with Islamic rulings. This includes what Western countries consider inhumane punishments or penalties. These are matters for which Islam has prescribed rulings. The resolution refers to inhumane or degrading acts or punishments, which includes the prescribed punishment for adultery, capital punishment, religious freedom, and the freedom to express any opinion in any way.

Major Islamic countries did not participate in the vote for the resolution including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, Kuwait, Yemen and Egypt. In addition to this, India, Sri Lanka and China abstained from the vote as well.