Statement by Ms. Shiruzimath Sameer, Representative of the Maldives Delegation to the United Nations,
General Assembly, 69th Session
Intervention on the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading Treatment or Punishment
Thank you Madam Chair,
My delegation wishes to express its appreciation to the Special Rapporteur Mr. Juan E. Mendez for his report on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Let me also thank the special rapporteur for the comprehensive and informative briefing this morning and for the activities taken by the special rapporteur in addressing the Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development which is of utmost important to all nations.
Madam Chair,
Maldives attaches great importance to the values of the Human Rights and accords high priority in the application of the rule of law nationally and internationally.
The Constitution of the Maldives guarantees the protection of all peoples from cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatments and punishments, including torture. As such, the Maldives has a standing invitation to all special mandate holders.
Madam Chair,
The Maldives Constitution further guarantees both separation of powers as well as independent institutions of horizontal accountability creating strong external oversight mechanisms with regard to the operation of our police force. Additionally, the Government of Maldives also requires strong internal oversight mechanisms to ensure its effective operation.
The Maldives also extends these principles of accountability to its highest levels in order to ensure that individuals who commit crimes are brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.
We have formulated national legislation on ending impunity, having passed bills on human trafficking, as well as introducing to the parliament legislation on extradition, piracy, chemical weapons and the exchange of legal expertise on criminal cases.
Madam Chair,
I would ask the Special Rapporteur the following: In your report, there is a heavy emphasis on the responsibilities of the Executive. When the Executive branch is in line with international norms and standards on this issue, what can it do to emphasize notions such as the use of the exclusionary rule in systems where there is a clear separation of power?
Thank you.
