President Solih: Human rights a core aspect of Maldives’ democracy

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Tuesday, stated that human rights, fundamental equality and freedom are all core aspects of Maldives’ democracy.

He made the remark in a tweet congratulating Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and the entire Foreign Ministry team following Maldives’ election for a third term as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

In his tweet, he stressed that Maldives is proud to have won a seat on the UHRC for 2023-2025.

Human rights and the fundamental equality and freedom of all are core aspects of our democracy. Which is why Maldives is extremely proud to have won a seat on the @UN_HRC for 2023-2025. Congratulations to @abdulla_shahid and the entire team at #TeamKhaarijee (@MoFAmv).

— Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (@ibusolih) October 11, 2022

Six countries competed for the membership – of four were elected. The countries elected alongside Maldives for UNHRC membership are Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and South Korea.

Maldives was elected as a member this time around with the votes of 154 countries.

The island nation served as a member of UNHRC for two conservative terms, from 2011 to 2016. Maldives also held the Vice-Presidency of the Council throughout 2013, representing the Asia-Pacific Group.

Maldives was elected for the first term at UNHRC with the votes of 185 countries, and the second term with the votes of 164 countries.

Maldives also held the presidency post in the last session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The post was filled by Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid who was elected for a one-year term on September 14, 2021.

Shahid won the election with 143 votes. He beat his rival, former Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul with a margin of 48 votes.

He made history by becoming the first Maldivian to hold such a high position within the UN.