The 37th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has concluded in Geneva. The Maldives delegation actively contributed to the 4-week session that started on February 26. The council also confirmed the appointment of 9 Mandate Holders. The Human Rights Council commenced with the High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council, held from February 26 to 28.
The Delegation of Maldives delivered 15 formal statements and actively participated in the negotiation of the 42 resolutions adopted during the session. The Maldives delegation was led by Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Shiham, accompanied by Minister of Gender and Family Zenysha Shaheed Zaki and Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hala Hameed. Education Minister Aishath Shiham addressed the Council on February 27. The Ministers also met with the high level dignitaries attending the session, at the side-lines of the High Level Segment.
Furthermore, Gender Minister Zenysha Shaheed Zaki participated as a panelist at the side event organised by Maldives, Bangladesh, France, India, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on The Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Ensuring Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Reducing Inequalities. The regular session began on March 1 and the Maldives delegation delivered statements on an array of thematic discussions covered in the Programme of Work of the Council as well as a right of reply to a Joint Statement led by the United Kingdom. The other statements delivered includes the Annual Report of the High Commissioner, Human Rights Situation in Syria, Palestine and other occupied territories as well as statements on violence against children, disabilities, food and environment and technical assistance and capacity building.
The Maldives was also a member of the core group with Costa Rica, Morocco, Slovenia and Switzerland on the Resolution on Human Rights and Environment and actively engaged in drafting the resolution. The resolution received cross regional support with over 60 other co-sponsors.
In line with its key priorities at the council, the Maldives co-sponsored a number of resolutions, including those mutually beneficial cooperation, integrated approach for the full implementation of 2030 agenda, rights of persons with disabilities, human rights situation in Syria, situation of human rights in Myanmar and realisation to economic, social and cultural rights amongst a few. Maldives also participated in several other side events including formal and informal engagements on the side-lines of the High-Level Segment.
The Human Rights Council consists of 47 State Members of the United Nations and are elected for terms of three years. Since 2017, the Maldives is on a mandatory break from the Council, after two consecutive three year terms as a member. The Maldives served as a voting member of the Human Rights Council, from 2011 to 2013 and from 2014 to 2016.