Today at the General Assembly plenary, the Maldives drew attention to the need for a human rights-based approach to development. As the Human Rights Council presented its report to the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of integrating human rights as we move towards two landmark events in 2015: the post-2015 development agenda and the international climate negotiations in Paris.
Speaking from the Maldives' own experience, Ambassador Sareer reminded the Committee that, throughout its transition into a new democracy, the country has been guided by "the core principles of human rights, human dignity and rule of law." These principles are embedded in the new Constitution and have been implemented in domestic laws and policies. The Maldives has also been active at the international level. Now serving its second term on the Human Rights Council, the Maldives has highlighted the need to give voice to smaller states in larger fora. In particular, the Maldives has brought attention to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) issues, including the connection between human rights and climate change.
In its address, the Maldives noted that treaties and laws are not enough for the fulfilment of human rights. The Maldives called for a culture of civic responsibility and respect for human rights at all levels, to complement the formal protections for human rights. "To be meaningful," the Ambassador stated, "the value of human rights must be embedded into institutions and inherent in the way we treat one another."
