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.
Three years since first being elected to the Council, the Maldives is proud to have given a voice to the smallest members of the international community. Although there was a change of government one year after the Maldives got elected to the Council, the country continued with its policy of taking strong stands on key issues of global concern, proving that even Small States maitain consistency in its foreign policy and advocacy. The Maldives is a leading voice of advocacy for human rights and fundamental freedoms, spearheading important initiatives in the Council. It has succeeded in drawing global attention to the effects of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights. It has been one of the strongest advocates at the Council for promoting the rule of law and creating the values of human rights. Since the beginning of 2013, the Maldives assumed the position of Vice-President of the Council, representing the Asian Group.
