The Government of the UK has removed the Maldives from its list of Human Rights Priority Countries.
The Human Rights Priority Countries listed by the UK are countries where the UK Government is particularly concerned about human rights issues, and where extra exertion is needed to ensure the countries meet international human rights obligations. The UK removed the Maldives from this list after acknowledging the progress achieved by the Maldives in addressing human rights issues in the country.
The UK considers the human rights situation of countries in establishing and enhancing commercial and other relations with the countries. Therefore, the removal of the Maldives from the list of Human Rights Priority Countries is expected to boost the bilateral ties between the Maldives and the UK.
Promoting and protecting human rights is one of the fundamental policies of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government. The progress achieved by the Maldives in the human rights sector since the current government took office has been highlighted and acknowledged by several international bodies and organisations, including the UN.
In the latest list of Human Rights Priority Countries published by the UK government, Maldives was removed along with Burundi. Meanwhile, Belarus, Mali and Nicaragua have been added to the list.