Male’, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has affirmed the government will prioritise upholding and promoting human rights without favour or discrimination as part of its resilience and recovery efforts following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to commemorate the 2020 International Human Rights Day, President Solih expressed that this year’s international human rights day falls in the midst of a global pandemic, which has adversely impacted the basic rights of many across the globe.
The President noted that despite the Maldives’ significant progress in human rights since this administration was sworn in, including through policies and legislation strengthening the rights of women and children, improving education and healthcare accessibility, and protecting free expression and political activity, this year has witnessed many basic rights being affected because of the pandemic.
The President emphasised that the government would prioritize equal treatment for all in upholding the dignity and rights of everyone residing in the Maldives, from citizens to expatriates to tourists, as part of its efforts to recover from the virus. The President also emphasised that despite the challenges of the pandemic, the international community must prioritise respecting basic human rights without favour or discrimination.
He further said that non-discriminatory principles must extend to bilateral relations as well, renewing the hopes for the quick availability of a viable vaccine, and communities across the globe want assurance that they will not be overlooked in terms of being able to meet their immediate health needs with respect to recovering from the pandemic.
