HRCM Celebrates Human Rights Day

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives held a special ceremony on 10 December 2009 to celebrate the International Human Rights Day, the 61st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration Human Rights and the sixth anniversary of HRCM.

The Guest of Honour at the function was MP for the Hdh. Kulhuduffushi south constituency, and President of the Social Committee of the Parliament Mr. Mohamed Nasheed. Speaking at the function, Mr. Nasheed stated that, in order to promote and protect human rights, along with the importance of having legislature that upholds principles of human rights, it is also equally imperative to uphold these principles in the our everyday lives. At this ceremonious event HRCM and its NGO network signed the first human rights declaration of Maldives. The Commission also announced its new endeavour of providing free legal aid to those who lack accessibility due to financial constraints.

The Commission also announced and gave away awards for the winners of the human rights art competition held for school children earlier this year. Maldives Post limited and HRCM launched a stamp collection developed using the winning entries, where the proceeds will be used to establish a victim support fund for children. Iskandhar School was declared the winning school in this year’s competition. Dhiraagu also exhibited its fifty Rufiyaa recharge voucher that was designed using one of the winning paintings.

"The Commission also published a supplement in one of most widely circulated newspapers of the country ‘Haveeru’ on the occasion of human rights day, which also carried the official International Human Rights Day Message by the President of HRCM, Mr. Ahmed Saleem.