President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom has stated that human rights cannot be secured by laws alone.
In his address given in the official function held to mark the International Human Rights Day, President Yameen said that in order to protect and promote human rights, the rights and respect have to be ingrained and instilled in all strata of the society, so that it becomes common place.
President Yameen commended the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) for the outstanding work they had carried out to uphold their mandate. He assured that the Commission will receive full support of the Government.
President added that the Government accepts the aspects that are in the covenants signed regarding human rights and will continue adhering to the covenants. However, he said that any right that clashes with the nation’s Islamic ideology, cannot be enforced in the country. As such, President Yameen said that the rights will be enforced only if they are within the limits of Islam and Islamic values.
President Yameen leveled critical comments on the human rights status of those very nations who talk of human rights and in some cases how blind they are to human rights violations. He pointed out the current situation facing Palestine, a state whose rights have been stolen from them ages back. President Yameen said that many UN resolutions had been passed on the issue, adding that none had been implemented.
President Yameen added that the Government was focused on improving the lives of those on the sidelines of the society, such as the differently abled. He said that the Government placed special emphasis on ensuring that those with disabilities had equal access to education, health care services, education and training opportunities.
The President said that the Government had made excellent progress in this aspect and will continue to do so. As such, the Government will focus on academic and vocation training for such individuals. He announced that a crafts center will be opened in the near future to showcase and sell the crafts made by the differently abled.
In his address, the President also noted that women’s rights have to be upheld as well, citing that many violations committed against them. As such, he noted the high number of sexual and domestic assaults against women. President Yameen said that this is not an aspect that will be tolerated by the Government.
President Yameen said that he will seek to economically empower women. He highlighted that 40 percent of state bodies will be comprised of women. He added that the Government will introduce systems whereby mothers can work from home, during pregnancy, starting from January 1st.
President Yameen concluded his speech by noting that the work of those who strive to uphold human rights, will never be over. He encouraged them to face the challenges head on and to strive in their endeavors.
Laws alone will not secure human rights: President
