11th April 2011, Male';Responding to the publication on 8 April of the US State Department's 2010 report on human rights in the Maldives, the newly-confirmed Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem today reaffirmed the Government's commitment to human rights and promised to use his tenure as Minister to continue to consolidate democracy and to further promote the full enjoyment of human rights. In this regard, he welcomed the comments and recommendations of the Maldives' international partners, including those contained in the US State Department's report and those offered as part of the United Nation's Universal Periodic Review process.
The 2010 State Department report reflects the ongoing improvement in human rights protection in the Maldives since the ratification of the country's new Constitution, and the holding of its first democratic, multiparty elections. The report recognizes the Maldives as a "multiparty constitutional democracy" with a "bill or rights and a strict separation of powers".
Speaking in response to the report, Minister Naseem said that the Maldives is now well-known around the world as a country with a strong human rights record. "The Government is committed to the promotion of human rights at home and abroad" said the Minister. "Any visitor to the Maldives will see for himself or herself that the press is free, that people are allowed to form NGOs and political parties and to protest, that any individual is free to speak his or her mind; and that we choose our representatives through free and fair elections. In short, the fundamentals of a durable liberal democracy with strong human rights safeguards are in place; and I am pleased to see that this fact is reflected in the US report".
"That said, the Government fully understands that there is much work still to be done. There are many areas where we must do more to protect people's rights and to offer them a better future. These areas are well known - they were identified in-depth during the Maldives' recent Universal Periodic Review, and they are again identified in the US State Department's report. For example, we must do more to strengthen women's and children's rights in the country, to tackle corruption, and to establish an independent, professional and well-respected judiciary".
"The Government believes in being open and transparent about these challenges, which is why we are planning a range of steps in the coming years, both legislative and non-legislative, to respond to them and to create the open, tolerate and equal society to which we all aspire".
ENDS