Maldives has reaffirmed its commitment to actively engage with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at the 41st Session of the UNHRC which kicked off on Monday.

While the sessions began in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday, Maldives delivered national statements around several agenda items which were presented in the Programme of Work including discussions on the plight of Rohingya Muslims as well as the worsening situations in Syria and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday revealed through a statement that the Maldives delegation in Geneva, led by Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hala Hameed, will deliver a joint statement on behalf of the informal group of SIDS which is co-chaired by Haiti and Maldives, during the Annual Thematic Discussion on Technical Cooperation.

Set to proceed for three weeks, the session will also see a contribution by Maldives to panel discussions and interactive dialogues.

Maldives will also be participating in the deliberations of some critical resolutions during the session, revealed the ministry.

While the 41st session of the UNHRC was inaugurated by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet with an oral update on the human rights situation around the world.

Foreign ministry went on to reveal that Maldives had also delivered a statement during the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.

Delivered by Dr. Hala, the statement outlined the comprehensive judicial reform agenda proposed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, which includes legislative reforms including simplified complaints mechanisms for submission of complaints against judges at the Judicial Services Commission as well as reforming the structure and administration of the courts.

Further, the statement highlighted the proposed Legal Proffessions Act which will pave way for the establishment of the Bar Council, in turn triggering way for self-regulation of legal professionals for the first time in Maldives history.

RaajjeMV understands that the delegation consists of Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Hawla Didi, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Shahiya Ali Manik, and First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Aishath Shahula.

The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations System made up of 47 Member States, which are responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe, said the Foreign Ministry.