The Maldives is set to present constructive recommendations to 14 countries on strengthening human rights protections as the 53rd Session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) commenced in Geneva on Monday.
The two-week session, which runs until 13 November 2026 at the Palais des Nations, will see the UN Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group examine the human rights records of 14 UN Member States. The Maldives will actively participate throughout the session, reflecting the Government’s continued commitment to multilateral engagement, international cooperation and the promotion of human rights at the global level.
The Maldivian delegation is led by Ambassador Dr Salma Rasheed, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office in Geneva. The delegation also comprises Counsellors Adam Hamid and Uza. Aminath Shifaya Ibrahim, together with Second Secretary Aishath Rayahyn from the Permanent Mission of the Maldives in Geneva.
In line with the Government’s key policies and national priorities, the Maldives will deliver recommendations to all 14 countries undergoing review. The participating States are Antigua and Barbuda, Eswatini, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Suriname, Tajikistan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tanzania and the United States.
The Maldives’ participation further reinforces its role as an active member of the international community, contributing to constructive dialogue and cooperation on strengthening institutional frameworks, protecting fundamental rights and advancing internationally recognised human rights commitments.
The Universal Periodic Review is a State-driven mechanism under which the human rights records of every UN Member State are periodically examined. It provides governments with an opportunity to highlight progress made in fulfilling their human rights obligations and commitments, while enabling other Member States to offer recommendations aimed at supporting further improvements.
The UPR Working Group meets three times each year. The current Fourth Cycle of the review process began in November 2022 and is expected to conclude in 2027, continuing the UN’s comprehensive assessment of human rights developments across its Member States.
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