Maldives - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 36, November 4, 2020
Recommendations by Canada

Recommendations

Thank you, Madam President.

Canada welcomes the progress Maldives has made in increasing women’s representation in government and in the judiciary.

Canada recommends that Maldives:

1. Withdraw all reservations to article 16 of Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women before the convention’s 45th anniversary in 2024.
2. Strengthen access to justice for victims of gender-based violence, investigate all allegations of sexual violence in a timely manner, bring perpetrators to justice and provide training to law enforcement and the judiciary on how to properly interact with possible victims and manage cases accordingly.
3. Ensure the protection of freedom of expression for all, and protect the safety, rights and liberty of human rights defenders and CSOs and promptly investigate, prosecute and punish threats or acts of violence against them.
4. Increase and expand human rights training for law enforcement and correctional services officers.

Canada welcomes the steps taken to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and encourages the Government of Maldives to continue its efforts to fulfil this commitment.

Overview

In recent years, the Government of Maldives has made strides to increase women’s representation in high offices. While the number of women parliamentarians remains low, a record number of women were appointed to Cabinet in 2019, including the first woman Defence Minister. A 33% quota was also implemented to increase women’s representation in island councils, and Maldives’ first two women Supreme Court Justices were appointed in 2019. Maldives has also made efforts to reform the judiciary to strengthen its independence.  

Despite positive steps, important challenges remain. Women continue to face discrimination, notably on marriage and family matters. Maldives lifted some restrictions on Article 16 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, but kept those pertaining to the same rights to enter marriage and rights and responsibilities as parents among others. As noted in Human Rights Watch World Report 2020, gender-based violence is endemic in Maldives. NGOs report that law enforcement can be reluctant to make arrests, especially in cases of domestic violence, and that few cases get prosecuted.

While Maldives has made some progress to protect freedom of expression, Amnesty International noted in its Maldives 2019 Annual Report that human rights defenders continue to be the target of hate speech and death threats. In November 2019, the Government of Maldives banned the Maldivian Democracy Network, a human rights NGO, under pressure from religious hardliners.

Another challenge remains the treatment of prisoners in Maldives, including conditions of detention. In 2019, the Maldives Prison Audit Commission released a report detailing corruption, abuse and mistreatment of prisoners. High-ranking Maldivian officials have acknowledged the need to address the use of excessive force in prisons and the culture of brutality among law enforcement.