39TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL BEGINS, MALDIVES DELEGATION WILL ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AT THE SESSION

The 39th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council commenced today in Geneva, with the Maldives set to engage with the Council and actively participate in its deliberations. During the 39th Session, the Maldives is due to deliver statements on a number of key areas in the work of the Council. This will include statements for High-level Panel discussion on the Convention and Prevention of Genocide, Statements for Interactive Dialogues on Rights of Older persons and Water and Right to Development.

Her Excellency Dr Hala Hameed, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva will head the delegation of Maldives at the 39th Session of the Human Rights Council. With her, Mr. Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative of Maldives to United Nations Office at Geneva, Ms Aishath Shahula, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of Maldives to United Nations Office at Geneva, and Ms Mariyam Suha, Senior Desk Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be members of the delegation.

The Maldives, as part of regional and political groups, including the OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement, have shared concerns of the human rights atrocities that are escalating around the world. In this regard, the Maldives will deliver a statement on the discussion on the issue of Human Rights situation in Myanmar, Commission of Inquiry on Syrian Arab Republic, and the Agenda Item on Palestine.
The Maldives will also co-sponsor a side event with the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh and other OIC countries on systematic human rights violations against minority Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and a way forward to address the situation. Ambassador Hala Hameed will be amongst the distinguished panellists at the side event, along with Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Ms Yanghee Lee.
The Maldives priorities at the UN Human Rights Council include women’s rights, rights of the child, climate change and environment, and, rule of law and democracy. In this regard, The Maldives will assiduously contribute and co-sponsor several key resolutions that are a priority to the country.

The Maldives have served as a Member of the Council as for two conservative terms of six years until 2016. Maldives is currently an observer member of the council. The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, made up of 47 Member States, which are responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The new United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights H. E. Michelle Bachelet, who assumed her post on 1 September 2018, also presented an oral on the situation of human rights around the world. The 39th Human Rights Council Session will continue for 3 weeks, concluding on 28 September 2018.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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MALDIVES OVERVIEW: WEEK ENDING (1ST – 7TH SEPTEMBER)

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS

Visit to Islands of Faadhippolhu Atoll

  • President Yameen concluded his visit to some islands of Faadhippolhu Atoll on 1st September.
  • During this visit, President Yameen visited Naifaru Island, where he inaugurated the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital building and the island’s harbor.
  • The President also marked the completion of the shore protection project in Kurendhoo Island.
  • He also visited Hinnavaru Island and Olhuvelifushi Island and met the people of both Islands as part of this tour.

Visit to Some Islands of Ari Atoll and South Nilandhe Atoll

  • President Yameen concluded his visit to some islands of Ari Atoll and South Nilandhe Atoll on 4th September.
  • During this tour, the President inaugurated Dhangethi Island’s harbour and initiated the water service in the island.
  • He also marked the completion of road development project in Mahibadhoo Island and inaugurated the sewerage services in the Maamigili Island.
  • He visited Mathiveri Island, Thoddoo Island and Kudahuvadhoo Island as part of this tour.

President Yameen visits Fulidhoo Island and Felidhoo Island

  • President Abdulla Yameen visited Fulidhoo and Felidhoo Island of Felidhe Atoll.
  • During the visit, President Yameen met with the islands’ community.

 

ELECTION BRIEFS

Final voters registry published

  • The Elections Commission published the final registry of voters for the September Presidential Elections on 4th September.
  • The revised list includes name, address and identity card number along with details of ballot boxes allotted to the voters.
  • As many as 80,000 people re-registered to vote outside their island of permanent residence.
  • According to the final voters’ registry, a total of 262,135 people are eligible to vote in the 2018 presidential elections.
  • A total of 10,506 monitors and 1,895 officials will observe the upcoming presidential election.

85 international observers approved for upcoming election

  • The Election Commission granted permission to 85 international observers and monitors for the Presidential Election on September 23.
  • According to EC 51 observers and 34 monitors from different countries, international organizations and independent institutions have been authorised to take part in the presidential elections.

 

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

President inaugurated the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital building

  • President inaugurated the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital building in the Naifaru Island.
  • He inaugurated the building while on a visit to Islands of Faadhippolhu Atoll.

 

TOURISM

Guesthouses will control half of Maldives tourist bed capacity by 2028

  • According to the Maldives Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (MATATO), the guesthouse market will control half of the Maldives tourist accommodation capacity by 2028.
  • Resorts controlled the majority of the accommodation capacity with over 30,000 beds, while guesthouses had 8,000 beds between them as of July 2018.
  • MATATO president Abdulla Giyas Riyaz said that the guesthouse sector is the fastest developing sector of tourism in the country.
  • Riyaz was speaking at the MATATO’s Maldives Travel Awards Guesthouse Edition, held in Hulhumalé.

 

NEWS UPDATES

Foreign Ministry Held Multi-Stakeholder Consultations for the Implementation of the OIC-2025 Programme of Action

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 4th September, held a multi-sectoral consultations with the Government stakeholders, in the implementation of the Programme of Action adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for the years 2015-2025.
  • The purpose of the consultation was to provide an interactive dialogue with the key stakeholders on the activities to be carried out in the implementation of the goals of Programme of Action.
  • The Maldives is fully committed in upholding the principles of the Charter of the Organisation and has been contributing immensely towards the unity and solidarity of the Islamic Ummah.

Secretary Bilateral hosts luncheon in honour of the visiting delegation from JICA Headquarters

  • His Excellency Mr Ahmed Khaleel, Secretary Bilateral at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a luncheon in honour of Mr Hara Shohei, Director General, South Asia Department of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on 2nd September.
  • The discussions at the luncheon focused on opportunities for further enhancing socio-economic cooperation between the two countries through JICA.
  • The Secretary Bilateral and the Director General also discussed some of the ongoing projects under the assistance of the Government of Japan.
  • The Director General was accompanied by Ms Kamei Haruko, Senior Director for South Asia Division from JICA Headquarters, Mr. Saito Hiroshi, Resident Representative and officials from the JICA Maldives Office.

First bus commutes across Sinamale Bridge free

  • According to Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), bus rides between capital Male, airport island Hulhule, and reclaimed suburb Hulhumale, will be free initially.
  • MPL’s CEO Ibrahim Haleem said that official bus fares will be implemented a few days after the bridge is opened for public use.
  • As of now, the MPL buses will only travel up to the Hulhumale terminal where commuters can use the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) buses to travel within Hulhumale.
  • MPL has brought nine buses to the capital to begin public bus transportation across the Sinamale Bridge, and plans to use 22 buses for bridge commutes in the future.

ENDS

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THIS ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING ON BRINGING RAPID DEVELOPMENT TO THE MALDIVES- PRESIDENT YAMEEN

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has stated that his administration is constantly working on bringing the necessary rapid development to the Maldives. The President made this remark while addressing the gathering at the ceremony held to inaugurate the Haddhummathi Link Road and the water services of Fonadhoo Island, as part of his current visit to some islands of Haddhummathi Atoll.

While addressing the gathering, the President shed light on the various developmental projects that are planned to be executed in the coming years. Speaking in this regard, the President emphasized plans to upgrade the Haddummathi Kaddhoo Airport to an international airport. He further stated that this would open new windows of opportunity for the development of the youth population and stated that this would also enable the administration to expand integrated tourism to all parts of the Maldives.

In his speech President Yameen highlighted the importance of civilization as well as national development, and called upon the people to unite in defending the rights of the country.

Prior to the visit, President Yameen visited Hithadhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbour, and visited Maamendhoo Island and initiated the Island’s sewerage services this morning. The President also visited Maabaidhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbor. Moreover, the President visited Gan Island and inaugurated the Thundi District harbour and the Haddhummathi Link Road.

Source: The President’s Office

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PRESIDENT YAMEEN INAUGURATES THE WATER SERVICES IN FONADHOO ISLAND

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has inaugurated the water services in the Fonadhoo Island of Haddhummathi Atoll tonight.

At the ceremony, President Yameen unveiled the monument placed to commemorate the inauguration of the water service.

President Yameen is currently on a visit to some islands of Haddhummathi Atoll.

Prior to the visit, President Yameen visited Hithadhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbour, and visited Maamendhoo Island and initiated the Island’s sewerage services this morning. The President also visited Maabaidhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbour this morning.

Earlier this evening, the President visited Gan Island and inaugurated the Thundi District harbour and inaugurated the Haddhumathi Link Road.

Source: The President’s Office

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PRESIDENT YAMEEN SAYS WE MUST ALWAYS HOPE FOR PROGRESS AND GROWTH

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has called upon the people to never lose hope for progress and advancement of the nation. The President made this remark while meeting the people of Gan Island today, as part of his visit to some islands of Haddhummathi Atoll.

Speaking at the function, the President called upon the youth to participate in the work towards strengthening our economy, and to seek innovative means for development. He also highlighted the efforts being taken by this administration to empower the Maldivian youth. Further, he noted that youth empowerment and responsible participation in nation building leads to contentment and harmony in the society.

During his visit to Gan, President Yameen inaugurated the Haddhummathi Link Road, connecting Gan Island and Fonadhoo Island.

Earlier today, President Yameen visited Hithadhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbour, and visited Maamendhoo Island and initiated the Island’s sewerage services this morning. The President also visited Maabaidhoo Island and inaugurated the island’s harbour this morning.

Moreover, President Yameen is scheduled to visit Fonadhoo Island and initiate the island’s water services later this evening.

Source: The President’s Office

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