Maldives updates Human Rights Council on domestic political situation

Monday 13th September 2010, Geneva: The Maldives today participated in a dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, H.E. Ms. Navi Pillay, and used the opportunity to update the international community on recent political developments in the Maldives, including the challenges surrounding the division and balance of power between the three braches of government, and the country's efforts to strengthen the rule-of-law and root-out corruption. Speaking on behalf of the Maldives, which is now a member of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam also used the statement to call on the Council to strengthen its mechanisms for dealing with emergency and/or chronic human rights situations around the world.

Addressing the High Commissioner, the 47 members of the Human Rights Council, Observer States and NGOs, Ambassador Adam explained that the Maldives is current undergoing a democratic transition and that, an in all countries, such change throws up many challenges and difficulties. "Many of the institutions, mechanisms and concepts introduced by the 2008 Constitution are new to the Maldives and all of us, including decision-makers and the general population, are still adapting and learning".

She went on to explain the steps being taken by the Government to overcome these challenges: "We have invited the Inter Parliamentary Union to assist us more clearly delineate the separation and balance of powers between the executive and the legislative, and this week a high-level mission by the International Commission of Jurists is in the Maldives as a first step towards strengthening judicial independence and accountability".

The Maldives delegation also used the dialogue to call for the Council to strengthen its capacity to "respond to important human rights situations as they emerge" and to do so through "engagement, cooperation and dialogue with concerned States". For example, Ambassador Adam highlighted the importance of November's elections in Myanmar as an important opportunity to improve the human rights situation in the country, and called on the High Commissioner "to reach out to and work with the authorities in Myanmar to ensure that November's elections are free and fair and that they reflect the will of the people".

ENDS