President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to ratify two key international treaties relevant to human rights; the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

While the decision was reached following consultation with the cabinet, on Wednesday, the treaties have to be first approved by the People’s Majlis.

The Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, approved by the United Nations General Assembly on 10th December 2008, facilitates the ability of individuals and organizations to submit complaints regarding violations of the rights guaranteed to them by the main body of the treaty.

While it was opened for signature by member states on 24th September 2009. Maldives signed the Optional Protocol on 21st of September 2011. However, it is yet to be incorporated into domestic legislation through parliamentary approval and presidential ratification, as prescribed in the Constitution. While 45 different states that have signed the Optional Protocol, 24 states have ratified it.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances was adopted into international law by UNGA member states on 20th December 2006, in New York, USA. The treaty came into effect on 23rd December 2010. The Maldives signed this convention on 6th February 2007. However, as with the Optional Protocol, the country has not yet ratified the treaty. Of the 98 countries that have signed the treaty, 62 have ratified it thus far.

Noting that the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights “facilitates the ability of individuals and organizations to submit complaints regarding violations of the rights guaranteed to them by the main body of the treaty”, the Cabinet expressed their unanimous agreement that ratifying this treaty “will raise the Maldives’ profile as a country committed to human rights” and that it aligns with the country’s key foreign policy priorities.

The Cabinet is to have expressed similar sentiments with regard to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Cabinet noted that the decision to ratify this treaty “is indicative of the Maldives’ commitment to upholding human rights in the global arena and within our own borders”.