Background

The Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order will undertake an official country visit to the Maldives from 12 to 21 March 2024.

The Independent Expert plans to examine challenges and good practices in the promotion and protection of a democratic and equitable international order that fosters the full realization of all human rights for all (as defined in Human Rights Council resolution 18/6).

Objectives

Throughout the visit, the Independent Expert will seek to gain a first-hand understanding of the national context in terms of the promotion and adherence to democracy and the rule of law at both the national and international level, and of the country’s overall efforts to promote a democratic and equitable international order based on equal participation in the decision-making process, interdependence, mutual interest, solidarity and cooperation among all States.

Key questions and types of input/comments sought

In preparation of the visit, the Independent Expert would welcome information on issues related to its mandate, including concerning:

a) Efforts to promote and contribute to the political, economic, and social progress at the national, regional and international level through different forms of cooperation.

b) Efforts to contribute to peace and security at the regional and international level;

c) Cooperation in the areas of economic, commercial and financial relations with other Governments in the region and globally, and the possibilities of mutual assistance in situations of financial crisis and debt distress;

d) Efforts and challenges encountered by the country on the issue of climate change.

e) Efforts to strengthen the rule of law and expanding inter-State cooperations in legal and criminal matters, including to fight against corruption and to hold non-State actors and transnational corporations accountable for human rights abuses;

f) Legislation, strategies and policies that concern good governance, distribution of economic and natural resources, fair trade, access to information, transparency and the regulation of the private sector;

g) Efforts to promote transparent, democratic, just and accountable international institutions in all areas of cooperation;

h) Efforts to ensure and promote the right to equitable participation of all, without discrimination, in domestic and global decision-making;

i) Efforts to strengthen women, youth and other traditionally marginalized group’s participation and representation in public life and decision-making, including in international forums at the regional and global level.