Maldives takes its seat for the fist time during the 15th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, expresses commitment to human rights; Indian Navy carries out routine patrol in Maldives’ EEZ ;
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    • In the 15th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council which began on 13 September 2010 in Geneva, the Maldives took its seat for the first time as one of the Council’s 47 member States.1 It also participated in a dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, H.E. Ms. Navi Pillay, and used the opportunity to update the international community on recent political developments in the Maldives and the country’s efforts to strengthen the rule-of-law and root-out corruption.2 As a first step to its commitment to the issues of human rights, government of Maldives has invited a delegation from the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) to identify, observe and advise the judicial issues in the country. A three member delegation headed by the former Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, United Nations Human Rights Council, Mr Leandro Despouy visited the Maldives on 13 September 2010 and discussed with President Mohamed Nasheed the importance of reforming the judiciary and strengthening integrity and accountability of the judiciary.3 Meanwhile, Indian Navy along with the Maldives Coast Guard, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) carried out routine patrol in the Maldives Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)) from 11-18 September.4

    Turkey's Defence Minister met his Maldivian counterpart in the Turkish capital of Ankara on 15 September 2010 and discussed cooperation in defence industry, military training and other defense issues. To boost the current military cooperation both the countries has signed the framework agreement of military cooperation.5 While, during her courtesy call on the President of the Maldives, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Maldives, Mrs Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere discussed potential Dutch private sector investments in the Maldives.6

    In other developments, for the first time Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) had participated in Operation Pacific Angel 2010-04 held in Sri Lanka. This operation is a Multinational Humanitarian Civic Action Mission on foreign soil sponsored by US Pacific Command (USPACOM).7

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