Maldives: Commission submits report to UN racial discrimination committee

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has highlighted the lack of an anti-discrimination law to define and prohibit different forms of discrimination in the island nation in a shadow report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

It also draws attention to the experiences of the growing migrant worker population, which now numbers around a third of the total population of the Maldives.

“Hostility and reported cases of ill‐treatment faced by migrant workers are increasing, although the basis of such treatment is ambiguous,” the report states.

“The negative attitudes faced, at times, by migrant workers from locals are a noticeable concern.”

The report includes a number of recommendations, including developing specific laws to counter racism and discrimination; the need to conduct research and collect data; bolstering training for public officials; revising existing complaint mechanisms; and delivering community education.

The HRCM consulted with a broad range of stakeholders to prepare the report, including government authorities and civil society organisations. It also reviewed complaints it had received and analysed relevant media reports.

It is the first time the HRCM has submitted a shadow report to the CERD Committee, which reviews the progress of States in implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

The Maldives was reviewed by the CERD Committee on 11-12 August 2011, during its 79th session.

Date: 8 August 2011