The 50th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) began today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, marking another milestone in the United Nations Human Rights Council’s ongoing assessment of member states’ human rights records. The two-week session will conclude on 14 November 2025.
During this period, the UPR Working Group will review the human rights situations of fourteen countries, including the Maldives, Andorra, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Libya, Liberia, Malawi, Mongolia, the Marshall Islands, Panama, and the United States of America.
The Maldives is scheduled to undergo its fourth Universal Periodic Review on 5 November. The review presents an opportunity for the country to reaffirm its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and to highlight progress made in advancing key national priorities through cooperation with international mechanisms.
Led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Dr Salma Rasheed, the Maldivian delegation will actively participate in the session and contribute constructive recommendations to other states under review.
The UPR is a state-driven mechanism that provides all UN member states the chance to present their progress and challenges in upholding human rights obligations. It also allows peer states to offer feedback and recommendations for improvement. Conducted in cycles, the Fourth Cycle of the UPR began in November 2022 and is set to conclude in 2027.
As a member of the Human Rights Council, the Maldives has been selected to serve on the “Troika” – a group of three states acting as rapporteurs – for the review of Jamaica during this session.
Dr Salma Rasheed, who currently serves as Vice President of the Human Rights Council representing the Asia-Pacific Group, will also chair meetings of the UPR session.
