In his message on the occasion of this year’s International Human Rights Day, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has urged national and international actors and institutions to work collaboratively to cultivate a culture of respect in the Maldivian society.
The President’s message reads as follows:
“On the occasion of this year’s International Human Rights Day 2015, I wish to extend warm greetings and good wishes to the people of the Maldives, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives, civil society organisations, and to everyone contributing to promote human rights in the country.”
“This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the two key human rights covenants, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprise the International Bill of Rights.”
“Having ratified these two documents in 2006, all the key rights included in these agreements have been incorporated into the Constitution of the Maldives. Since ratification, the Maldives has made remarkable progress in protecting and promoting human rights in the country. The Maldives is a signatory to seven of the nine core human rights conventions; we have adopted landmark national legislations, such as the Domestic Violence Act, Child Protection Act, Anti-Trafficking Act, Anti-Torture Act, and the Right to Peaceful Assembly Act. These, along with several other human rights legislations, have enabled the establishment of a strong national structure for protecting human rights in the country.”
“While establishing formal structures and mechanisms are important, they are not sufficient conditions for the protection of rights. My Government’s approach to protecting human rights has been to empower the Maldivian people; by ensuring freedom from want by increasing prosperity; and creating opportunities for individuals to unleash the power of human creativity to solve problems. The Government’s approach to promoting human rights has also been guided by the belief that the rights and responsibilities espoused in the national and international legal instruments need to be enforced, and most, importantly cultivated in the society as values.”
“I, therefore, urge national and international actors and institutions to work collaboratively to cultivate in the Maldivian society, a culture of respect; respect for the rights and responsibilities of the individual, of the society, and of the State, so that promoting human rights becomes part of daily life.”