10th June 2013, Male'; The Maldives has continued to engage actively on all human rights issues within the remits of the ongoing 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.Among the priorities this year, the Maldives welcomed the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Ms. Gabriella Knaul following her visit to the Maldives and expressed its hope for continued dialogue with the Council and its mechanisms. In its statement, the Maldives acknowledged that it faced structural deficiencies and resource constrains in addressing the issues raised in the report, and reiterated its commitment to acclimatize and implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and requested the support of the international human rights mechanism and international partners in implementing them.
It actively engaged with other delegations during the consultations on a resolution to end violence against women, and participated in discussions to support national human rights institutions and on the independence and impartiality of judges and lawyers of which the Maldives was a member of the Core Group.
During the session, the Maldives delivered statements on the Panel Discussion on the Role of Parliaments in promoting human rights- a panel co-sponsored by the Maldives and the annual full day discussions on women's rights. Further the Maldives delegation participated in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Peaceful Assembly and Association, the Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women to name a few.
The 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council commenced on 27th May 2013 and will continue until 14th June 2013. The Maldives is being represented at the session by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva.
ENDS