Parliament Passes Bill Criminalizing Human Trafficking
The People’s Majlis (Parliament) passed an Anti Human Trafficking Bill today, making trafficking in persons a criminal offence in the Republic of Maldives. The enactment of measures enshrined in the bill ensures added protection for the victims of trafficking. Once the bill is enacted, perpetrators who are convicted of trafficking…
Maldives Re-Elected to the UN Human Rights Council
The Maldives is re-elected to the United Nations Human Right Council with 164 votes. The election was held today at the United Nations General Assembly. The Maldives will commence serving its second consecutive term at the Council, from 2014. The Maldives’ policy at its second term at the Council will…
SIDS need adequate institutionalization within the UN system, says Maldives
Noting the lack of resources within the UN system for specific action for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Maldives has called for adequately integrating and institutionalizing SIDS within the UN system, asking for earmarking certain funds specifically for SIDS to implement sustainable development activities in their States, and the…
Government of Maldives condemns the use of chemical weapons in Syria
Male’; The Government of Maldives is shocked by the UN expert teams’ findings that chemical weapons were used on a relatively large scale in Syria, resulting in numerous casualties, particularly among innocent civilians including many children. The Government of Maldives condemns in the strongest possible terms this horrific act and…
The General Assembly opens its 68th session
United Nations Headquarters The United Nations General Assembly opened its annual session today with a focus on the long-term developmental agenda. The newly appointed President of the General Assembly John Ashe, the former Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, outlined in his opening statement, the need to lay the groundwork for global…
Maldives calls for consistent funding for UN-Women
UN Headquarters, New York: Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations, expressed Maldives’ continued financial contribution to the UN-Women. Speaking today at the pledging event for UN-Women, Ambassador Sareer called on wealthy and resourceful donor countries to provide more generous resources to enable the…
Maldives supports the new Strategic Plan for UN-Women
UN Headquarters: Speaking at the opening of the 2013 Annual Session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), the Maldives highlighted its agreement with the newly formed strategic plan for the 2014-2017 period and emphasized the recent progress Maldives…
Maldives Addresses Development Challenges at the Middle-Income Country Conference
San José, Costa Rica: As the most recent member of the category of middle-income countries, the Maldives has participated in the High Level Conference on Middle-Income Countries, focusing on the theme, “Networks for Prosperity”. Represented by His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Sareer, the Maldives called for enhanced cooperation amongst developing nations.
Parliament Passes Bill Criminalizing Human Trafficking
Tuesday, 03 December 2013 00:00
The People’s Majlis (Parliament) passed an Anti Human Trafficking Bill today, making trafficking in persons a criminal offence in the Republic of Maldives. The enactment of measures enshrined in the bill ensures added protection for the victims of trafficking. Once the bill is enacted, perpetrators who are convicted of trafficking will face 10 to 15 year jail sentences. The bill also criminalizes offenses such as forced labour and fraudulent recruitment practices and labels them as acts of human trafficking. Her Excellency Dunya Maumoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Republic of Maldives, noted the passing of the bill by Parliament as important, not only to prevent and combat human trafficking in the Maldives, but also to bring justice for trafficked persons. She stated that “we believe that these severe penalties will serve as a deterrent to potential perpetrators.”
Dunya Maumoon Appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sunday, 17 November 2013 18:00
President Yameen has appointed Dunya Maumoon as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives. The Minister has previously served as the State Minister for Foreign Affairs under former President Waheed and as the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs under former President Gayoom. Before that, Ms Maumoon served as the head of Multilateral Affairs.
A New Maldivian President: President Yameen
Sunday, 17 November 2013 00:00
Mr Abdulla Yamin Abdul Gayoom was elected as the 6th President of the Republic of the Maldives. Today he took his oath of office at a Special Assembly of Parliament held at 1.00 this afternoon. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice, Uz Ahmed Faiz Hussain.
Maldives Re-Elected to the UN Human Rights Council
Tuesday, 12 November 2013 00:00
The Maldives is re-elected to the United Nations Human Right Council with 164 votes. The election was held today at the United Nations General Assembly. The Maldives will commence serving its second consecutive term at the Council, from 2014.
The Maldives’ policy at its second term at the Council will be based on its belief that establishing structural frameworks alone is not sufficient for human rights promotion; it requires cultivating values as well. The Maldives believes that increasing the human rights resilience of the new and emerging democracies should be a priority for the Council and the entire UN system. The Maldives, being an emerging democracy itself, is ideally placed to contribute to the Council’s efforts in helping human rights promotion in such countries.
Three years ago, the Maldives was the smallest member to get elected to the Council. The Maldives stands for the voiceless in the international society; for the issues that affect the very fundamental values of human rights yet, hardly get a mention in global human rights debate; and it stands for helping the vulnerable and emerging democracies to cultivate the values of human rights in their societies.
Unofficial Translation of the President's Address on His Term Expiring
Sunday, 10 November 2013 00:00
Unofficial Translation of the National Address by His Excellency Dr Mohamed Waheed
بســماللّـهالرّحمـنالرّحيــم
Beloved People of the Maldives;
During the last 21 months, my highest priority was to minimize divisions within the community, and to unite the people. To try to work with people from diverse political backgrounds. It took a lot of hard work, to reach the date of elections in a peaceful manner.
The Government has made numerous decisions regarding all the legal and other matters relating to the presidential election. Every decision and every step that the government has taken, was made after careful consideration and in the way that was the best interest of the nation and its people; after reflecting on all national interests. Because of these decisions, we have been able to move forward with everyone, without leaving anybody out. Even at a slow pace, we have been able to continue moving forward. Even at times of uncertainty, not a single step was taken backwards.
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