The 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva yesterday, with the Maldives maintaining an active presence throughout the proceedings. The session saw the adoption of 26 resolutions and one decision, alongside the appointment of two Special Procedures Mandate Holders.
Representing its continued commitment to multilateral engagement, the Maldives delivered national statements across a range of thematic areas and lent its support as co-sponsor to several resolutions aligned with government priorities. These included resolutions on human rights and climate change, the right to education, and the empowerment of women and girls through sport. The Maldives also supported a resolution on the human rights implications of new and emerging digital technologies.
The country co-sponsored several joint statements, including those promoting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, enhancing accessibility to artificial intelligence for developing countries, and encouraging technical assistance for states facing structural vulnerabilities. Another key area of support was the adoption of a human rights-based approach to the 2026 Water Conference.
Notably, the Maldives was a member of the cross-regional core group behind the resolution on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The resolution reaffirmed the essential role these rights play in realising civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as set out in international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants.
The resolution also underlined the importance of ensuring that access to the Internet remains free, open, reliable and secure. It was adopted by consensus, with 69 countries co-sponsoring it at the time of adoption.
