The Maldives today participated at a panel discussion, which aims to promote the ratification of the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedures. During the one-year anniversary of the opening for Optional Protocol for signature, the Maldives reaffirmed and reiterated its commitment to promote and protect the rights of children, especially that of the girl child.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Sareer, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations mentioned that the individual complaints procedure was an important tool for the Maldives and other developing countries, and expressed the Government’s hope that the Protocol would enter into force at the earliest possible opportunity.
He also outlined the latest developments in the recent case involving a 15 year-old girl where a sentence was passed by the Juvenile Court. He mentioned that the Government is currently looking to facilitate the appeal of the case through the defendant’s legal counsel, it believes that she is a victim of sexual abuse and should be treated as such by the State and the society, and therefore her rights should be fully protected. Mr. Sareer briefed the gathering that the Government of Maldives’ view that the Judicial Court’s verdict had highlighted the critical need to review existing mechanisms on child rights, and to update and improve existing measures, especially the legal framework.
The panel discussion was organized by an international coalition of non-governmental organizations supporting the rapid ratification and early entry into force of the Optional Protocol. The Maldives was a co-sponsor of the event along with the delegations of Finland, Germany, Liechtenstein and Thailand.
The Third Optional Protocol on a communications procedure was adopted by the General Assembly in December 2011, which allows the Committee on the Rights o the Child to receive and examine individual complaints alleging violation of children’s rights. The Maldives signed the Optional Protocol on 28 February 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland.
