News & press releases

Foreign Minister Asim Congratulates New High Commissioner for Human Rights

04 September 2018

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Asim has sent a letter of congratulations to Her Excellency Ms. Michelle Bachelet, on assuming her new post as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In his letter, Minister Asim reiterated the importance of dialogue and constructive engagement between Member States and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

He reassured that the Maldives would always remain ready to consult and engage with the Office, both at the Human Rights Council and domestically, on important matters relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. Minister Asim highlighted the huge strides the Maldives has taken in the area of empowerment of women, gender equality, rights of the child, and rights of persons with disabilities.

He reassured the new High Commissioner, that the Government of Maldives would continue to engage with the Council, and its mechanisms and procedures including the Universal Period Review process. He also noted that the Government has in the past welcomed teams from OHCHR to visit the Maldives, with a view to strengthening the domestic processes and enhancing capacity building of institutions, and in this regard, the Government would remain engaged with her Office in the promotion and protection of human rights.

H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet assumed her new post on 1 September 2018, after the end of tenure of her predecessor, H.E. Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain.

Previously, Ms. Bachelet had served as the President of Chile from 2006 to 2010, and for a second time from 2014 to 2018. She had also served as the Executive Director at UN-Women from 2010 to 2013.

ENDS