The Maldives today urged the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to function in a truly independent manner, without partisanship and with an ever forward-looking mindset. The Maldives also stressed that the Human Rights Council must be open to explore ways to improve the work of the council and its mechanisms. The Maldives made these remarks while addressing at the General Assembly debate on the Report of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
In its statement, the Maldives also urged the special mandate holders on human rights to maintain their independence and impartiality, follow their code of conduct, and act in a manner that reflects the integrity of the positions they hold and the organization they represent.
Highlighting the increase in the weight of the Council over the past year and the corresponding burden of work of the OHCHR, the Maldives expressed concern over the Office having to rely ever-more increasing on extra budgetary resources. The Maldives stressed the necessity of the Office to be financed primarily through the regular budget of the UN if it were to function truly independent.
The Maldives is currently serving its second term in the Council, and was the smallest member to get elected at the Council in 2010. Noting on its unique identity, the Maldives observed that despite constraints as a Small Island Developing State, the country has maintained a strong presence at the Council. The Maldives also reaffirmed its commitment to engage constructively with OHCHR and to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights
The statement was delivered by Ms. Zeena Mohamed Didi, Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the UN.
