Human Rights Council 50th Session of the Universal Periodic Review – Maldives

Mr President,

We warmly welcome the delegation from the Maldives.

We welcome the Maldives’ positive steps towards increasing women’s political representation.

New Zealand recommends that the Maldives:

1. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
2. Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation prohibiting all grounds of discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of religion or national origin.
3. Revise the Constitution to remove the requirements that citizenship be limited based on religion. 
4. Strengthen protection for journalists and human rights defenders against any form of violence and censorship.

Strengthen the legal and policy framework to ensure the full inclusion and equal participation of persons with disabilities We thank the delegation for their participation today and wish the Maldives a successful review.