13 August 2011, Geneva; The Maldives was yesterday reviewed by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination established under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
The Maldives review by the Committee was based on its combined fifth to twelfth periodic report, the Core Document and the shadow report submitted by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. The Government report detailed the measures undertaken in advancing the implementation of the stipulations under the UN Convention and highlighted where more work needed to be done.
During the review the Committee praised the Government for its democratic achievements in the short period of time and highlighted the steady advancement of human rights in the country. It acknowledged the commitment of the Government and the steps taken so far to enforce international human rights standards nationally and importantly thanked the Government for resuming its dialogue with the treaty body. Alternatively the Committee expressed concern on the lack of implementation of some aspects of the UN Convention by the Maldives. Most notably, the Committee urged the government to enact the necessary secondary legislations that would give full effect to the Constitutional rights especially the guarantee of non-discrimination. The Committee also expressed concern on the increasing reports of mistreatment of migrant workers and the rise of human trafficking across Maldivian borders. The Committee also recommended the promotion of religious tolerance in Maldivian society.
At the interactive Session, the Maldives Delegation responded in length to the questions of the Committee and later thanked it for the frank discussion. The Maldives Delegation, lead by Attorney General H E Mr. Abdullah Muizzu, stated that the Government viewed the review as an honest dialogue that would further contribute to the consolidation of the national human rights framework. In his statement the Attorney General noted that while the previous Government had denied the existence of any forms of racial discrimination, the new Government was well aware that the increase in the number of migrant worker population now require that new legislative and other affirmative measures be established as safeguards against any forms of racial discrimination that may occur. The Delegation committed to the enforcement of the Convention rights in their true spirit and informed that discussions would be held within national stakeholders to review the Committee's recommendations.
The Maldives became a party to the ICERD in 1984.
The Maldives was represented by the Attorney General, Minister of Human Resources, Youth & Sports H E Mr. Hassan Latheef and the Ambassador of Maldives to the UN Offices in Geneva H E Ms. Iruthisham Adam.
ENDS.