Experts of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Appreciate Efforts by Maldives to Sensitise Disability in the Workplace, Raise Questions on Transfer of Persons with Disabilities to Facilities and on Inclusive Education
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities today concluded its review of the initial report of the Republic of Maldives. Committee Experts appreciated efforts made by the State on sensitisation and empowerment in the workplace for persons with disabilities, while questioning the referral of persons with disabilities to facilities, and Maldives’ steps to ensure inclusive education.
A Committee Expert appreciated information from Maldives on vocational training, sensitisation and empowerment in the workplace for persons with disabilities.
Natalia Guala, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked about the system for referring persons with disabilities to the home for those with special needs. What were the common practices used to enable persons in that home to return to the community? Did the delegation have a plan to eliminate the guardianship system and ensure a shift from the institutionalisation of persons with disabilities to a system where they could live independently in the community?
Gerel Dondovdorj, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked if a concrete strategy was in place to ensure the effective implementation of the inclusive education strategy? Were all teachers trained on the inclusive education concept, including sign language and Braille? Was it ensured that the physical environment of the school was accessible? What measures was the State party taking to address the issue of bullying of children with disabilities? How was it ensured that all children with disabilities had an opportunity to access higher education and enrol in university?
The delegation said there had previously been a trend where persons with disabilities were easily taken to the home for persons with special needs, but now there were several assessments to be done before this could occur. A decreased number of persons with disabilities were now being taken to this facility. The facility was partially accessible, and it was ensured patients received the treatment needed.
The delegation said all teachers needed to be trained on inclusive education policy. So far, 4,090 teachers had received inclusive education training. There were multiple mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the inclusive education policy. Regarding the safety and security of children with disabilities in the school system, there were complaints and review mechanisms in place. A fully inclusive model regarding higher education was not fully in place. However, higher education financing was moving towards a less competitive model.
Introducing the report, Ahmed Usham, Attorney General of the Republic of Maldives and head of the delegation, said the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and provision of financial assistance act, the disability act, was currently undergoing a comprehensive review using a participatory approach to address gaps and enhance protections and inclusion. In Maldives, the Disability Council served as the central coordinating body for disability-related policies and initiatives. The national disability registry was launched in January 2023. As of July 2025, a total of 14,566 individuals had been registered.
In closing remarks, Mr. Usham thanked the Committee members for their valuable observations and guidance which had offered valuable insights in efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Maldives. The State would approach the recommendations of the Committee in a spirit of openness, partnership and accountability.
Abdelmajid Makni, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, commended Maldives for the efforts made to be involved in the constructive dialogue and thanked the State party for its commitment to persons with disabilities. Mr. Makni also thanked the State party’s delegation for taking the time to travel to Geneva, which was a sign of their commitment.
The delegation of the Republic of Maldives was comprised of representatives of the Attorney General’s Office; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Social and Family Development; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Education; the Health Protection Agency; and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, while webcasts of the public meetings can be found here. The programme of work of the Committee’s thirty-third session and other documents related to the session can be found here.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3. p.m. on Thursday, 21 August, to begin its consideration of the initial report of Finland (CRPD/C/FIN/1).
Report
The Committee has before it the initial report of the Republic of Maldives (CRPD/C/MDV/1).
Presentation of Report
AHMED USHAM, Attorney General of the Republic of Maldives and head of the delegation, said Maldives ratified the Convention in April 2010. The country’s democratic journey was marked by both historic achievements and periods of political turmoil. Subsequently, its governance structures, legislative frameworks and policy-making processes were still evolving. Following the 2023 presidential election, President Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, with a renewed commitment to democracy and the promotion and protection of human rights. In a historic first for Maldives, the election saw visually impaired voters cast their ballots independently and confidentially, using a designated tactile template, demonstrating commitment to inclusive democracy.
The review with the Committee came at a significant time. The situation of persons with disabilities in Maldives had been comprehensively assessed at the national level for the first time through the situational analysis of the rights of persons with disabilities, which was supported by the United Nations partnership to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. Published in January 2025, the study provided an evidence-based understanding of barriers and opportunities, enabling the Government, civil society, and development partners to work from a shared baseline and accelerate progress.
The protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and provision of financial assistance act, the disability act, was currently undergoing a comprehensive review using a participatory approach to address gaps and enhance protections and inclusion. Key regulations enacted included the regulation on determination of persons with disabilities and management of the registry in 2021, and a regulation on providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in 2024.
In Maldives, the Disability Council served as the central coordinating body for disability-related policies and initiatives. In 2022, Maldives conducted a national census which, for the first time, applied the Washington Group short set of disability questions to assess the prevalence of disability, with the data providing a key foundation for evidence-based policymaking and inclusive programme development. The national disability registry was launched in January 2023. As of July 2025, a total of 14,566 individuals had been registered.
The first national action plan on disability inclusion had been endorsed and would be launched soon. Initiated through a participatory workshop in April 2025, the plan provided a coordinated blueprint to remove barriers and ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in Maldives. The updated inclusive education policy shifted to a fully inclusive framework with no segregation, aligning with the Convention and ensuring learning for every child. All new schools were designed and built with accessible infrastructure, and existing schools were being upgraded to ensure that every student could navigate and learn safely.
Physical accessibility remained the biggest challenge for persons with disabilities in Maldives. Given the unique dispersed geography of the islands and atolls, coupled with budgetary constraints for upgrading existing infrastructure, ensuring accessible public spaces, transport and facilities was a complex task.
The State would continue to address challenges and would soon roll out the accessibility guideline for public infrastructure, with a view to ensuring full accessibility in all Government buildings by 2026. The new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport was fully accessible.
In 2023, the disability allowance was expanded, increasing the basic allowance and introducing carer and self-care allowances to better support those requiring full-time care or daily assistance. The Government offered financial aid for assistive devices, but challenges remained due to the lack of a standardised device list and limited repair and maintenance services. Maldives had established its first ever Disability Management and Rehabilitation Centre in 2023, with comprehensive rehabilitation services that catered to both permanent disabilities and temporary impairments resulting from accidents or illnesses.
A regulation on providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities was introduced in 2024. The Government also pursued a policy to foster job creation for persons with disabilities within the civil service and State-owned enterprises. In 2024, the Government introduced a five-year financial scheme of 100 million Maldivian Rufiyaa to support women entrepreneurs, with 25 per cent reserved for women with disabilities. The housing bill submitted to the Parliament in April this year contained provisions to mandate the prioritisation of social housing allocations to eligible persons with disabilities and to those they depended on.
The 2016 criminal procedure act, and the 2022 evidence act both contained special provisions for persons with disabilities. The Maldivian law repository website, MVLaw, was upgraded to include the country’s first-ever text-to-speech function, transforming access to legal information for visually impaired persons. Audio versions of the disability act and its regulation had also been made available. The recently opened justice building annex in Hulhumalé, utilised by the criminal and drug courts, was fully accessible.
Inclusive climate adaptation and disaster resilience was being advanced through integrating the needs of persons with disabilities into laws, policies and programmes. A participatory review of the disaster management act had begun, and ongoing awareness campaigns were developed in consultation with persons with disabilities. The Government acknowledged that the provision of services for persons with disabilities had historically been fragmented due to geographic dispersion, fiscal constraints, and gaps in human resources. Recognising these challenges, President Muizzu had pledged to ensure that the annual budget for social care was tripled by the end of the administration. Maldives looked forward to engaging in a productive dialogue.
Questions by Committee Experts
ABDELMAJID MAKNI, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, said by ratifying the Convention in 2010, Maldives made a commitment to recognising the human rights-based model of disability which had been transposed into domestic law by the disability act. However, Maldives had not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention. It was hoped a clear response to the State’s intentions regarding ratification would be provided. It was noted that the medical model of disability still prevailed over the human rights-based model of disability, restricting certain rights and freedoms. There were shortcomings in transferring information about policy updates and procedures by the central Government.
The national disability register sought to provide persons with disabilities with equal access to social protection and benefits programmes. Registration was managed through a portal, but organizations of persons with disabilities found it difficult to access the portal and did not understand the registration process, which limited the scope of social protection and prevented collecting data.
What did Maldives plan to do to align all laws and policies with the Convention? What mechanisms existed and had they improved the provision of services to persons with disabilities? What steps would be taken to ensure the effectiveness of the national disability register to allow the registration of persons with disabilities so the State could respond to them? Could Maldives review its legal texts to better include the rights of persons with disabilities in them?
Persons with psychosocial disabilities remained the most isolated in society and could not be involved in formal processes in Maldives. Women and girls with disabilities were also massively underrepresented due to restrictions imposed by families. What measures were being taken to address this issue? The 2024 R-9 regulation on employment called for a technical committee to be established, which would include persons with disabilities. Had this committee been established? How did it contribute to providing reasonable accommodation in employment? Was awareness raising based on the human rights model of disability? What measures were being taken by the Government to ensure this model was understood? Was the National Human Rights Council aligned with the Paris Principles? Did it have the prerogative to act independently from State policy? Was there a specific mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Convention? How would it be ensured that persons with disabilities were involved in international cooperation efforts?
INMACULADA PLACENCIA-PORRERO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked what was protected from discrimination under existing legislation? How was reasonable accommodation enforced? How could persons with disabilities report discrimination and receive remedies? What positive measures were being taken to accelerate the effect of the legislation?
How were the rights of women and girls with disabilities mainstreamed in programmes and policies? Were there concrete plans to remove barriers that girls with disabilities faced in accessing education? Could women and girls with disabilities who had been victims of violence and abuse access aid on an equal basis with others? Were programmes in this regard disability inclusive? Was there an accessible hotline available? Were shelters accessible for women and girls with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there had been intense engagement with persons with disabilities and their organizations in the drafting stage for the development of the national action plan on persons with disabilities. The national action plan on disability included the voices of persons with disabilities and would act as a springboard to craft national actions. An accessibility portal was created, and the State acknowledged that improvements needed to be made. Most persons with disabilities in Maldives relied on family members to register. The Government conducted house calls to identify unregistered persons with disabilities and ensured the registration process was followed up. Regular visits were carried out to the islands for vulnerable people, including those with disabilities. One person from each island was trained on the disability registration process to help those who needed assistance.
The disability act review process was well underway and was ahead of schedule. Through the review, decisive steps were being taken to strengthen the legislative framework, including higher education, scholarships and strengthening the job quota for persons with disabilities. The review would incorporate the views of persons with disabilities.
The technical advisory committee had begun functioning and had been formed to empower persons with disabilities in employment. It was mandated for various reasonable accommodations, including advisory and technical needs. The Disability Council acted as a monitoring and regulating body; it had developed essential minimum standards for service providers, including physical accessibility. It was hoped the revised disability act would contain recommendations to further strengthen the human rights model in Maldives. The national action plan on disability inclusion helped to monitor overall disability rights and implementation.
The national gender equality action plan aimed to work towards the inclusion of women with disabilities. In 2024, a five-year loan scheme was launched which allocated 25 per cent of total funding to women with disabilities. The sexual harassment and abuse prevention act was non-discriminatory and ensured the needs of women with disabilities were considered. Targeted strategies had been adopted to actively include women with disabilities in awareness and education.
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives was an independent institutional body, operating separately from the Government in carrying out its mandate. It served as a Constitutional watchdog, monitoring compliance with human rights obligations and providing recommendations to ensure the protection and promotion of human rights in Maldives. Some challenges remained, including an adequate budget, with the Government working closely with the Commission to address these issues, aiming to align it with the Paris Principles.
The State was determined to move forward by making the inclusion of persons with disabilities a part of international cooperation efforts. Future multilateral and bilateral efforts would focus on the needs of disability as a sustained priority.
Equality was enshrined in the Constitution of Maldives. Special assistance or protection to disadvantaged individuals or groups provided in law was not deemed discriminatory. Article 20 of the Constitution affirmed the equality of everyone and that everyone had the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law. The disability act provided protection for women and children with disabilities, and enabled persons with disabilities to be provided with assistive devices, among other factors. The education act ensured equal opportunities for children in the mainstream education system. Equality in service provision was a cornerstone of the health and service provision act. The criminal procedure act recognised the rights of persons with mental and physical disabilities and mandated the courts to ensure they were able to fully participate in investigations and trials.
The Disability Council had the mandate to investigate rights infringements of persons with disabilities. The Office of Civil Rights, established in 2023, was mandated to handle complaints, monitor institutions, issue recommendations, and collaborate with civil society organizations to empower and advocate for persons with disabilities.
Education was a right for all children, regardless of their sex or ability. Mechanisms were in place for the registration of children with disabilities, and to ensure that all children attended school.
Dedicated helplines were in place. When reports were received, a dedicated department addressed these and worked with families to meet the needs. Efforts were being made to make the Government websites more accessible.
Questions by Committee Experts
INMACULADA PLACENCIA-PORRERO, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked what measures were being taken to ensure inclusive education for children with disabilities? What support was available for families of children with disabilities? How was it guaranteed these children could remain with their families to realise their full potential and enjoy their human rights?
How was the State assessing the effectiveness in bringing a change of image of persons with disabilities? Could information be provided about potential planned legislation on digital accessibility? Were there any plans to abolish the death penalty in Maldives? Had there been any efforts undertaken to formalise the moratorium on the death penalty application? Was the mental health of persons condemned to the death penalty a factor? Was reasonable and gender-specific accommodation provided to persons with disabilities in such situations? Were there any efforts to monitor their situation?
A Committee Expert asked what percentage of women and girls in Maldives had disabilities? What measures were in place to evaluate the policy and plan of action to ensure children with disabilities were receiving the required attention?
Another Committee Expert said the suicide rates and attempted suicide rates were noteworthy in Maldives. How did the State perceive that criminalising suicide in the Penal Code would help persons with psychosocial disabilities? Was the State considering any measures to abolish these provisions and decriminalise suicide attempts? What data was available pertaining to female genital mutilation? Was there disaggregated data clarifying the impact on those with disabilities?
NATALIA GUALA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said the disabilities law in Maldives required emergency and disaster risk reduction plans to take particular account of persons with disabilities. What were the government agencies responsible for ensuring these obligations were enforced? What plans had been adopted to provide evacuation or mitigation in cases of disasters to assist persons with disabilities? What were the available emergency lines for emergency situations? Were these available in all the atolls and what percentage of the staff had been trained to provide care for persons with disabilities in emergency situations of humanitarian crises? Were there formal mechanisms for persons with disabilities to take part in the design and dissemination of plans?
The Constitution of Maldives recognised the legal capacity of persons with disabilities; however, laws in the State stipulated that those who could not take autonomous decisions were subject to guardianship or curatorship. How could these two laws be considered compatible with the Convention? Under what process did the delegation determine if a person required guardianship? Were there plans or projects in the State party to work towards ensuring the exercise of legal capacity by persons with disabilities through supported, rather than substituted decision making?
What proportion of courts had sign language interpreting services? What plans were afoot in the State party to provide other procedural adjustments to ensure persons with disabilities had access to justice? The Committee had heard that persons with disabilities wishing to work as judges or lawyers faced many challenges. What was being done to overcome these barriers? How many persons with disabilities currently worked in legal professions?
What was the system for referring persons with disabilities to the home for those with special needs? What were the common practices used to enable persons in that home to return to the community? Did the delegation have a plan to eliminate the guardianship system and ensure a shift from the institutionalisation of persons with disabilities to a system where they could live independently in the community? What mechanisms had been used during the formulation of the mental health bill to consult with organizations of persons with disabilities?
A Committee Expert said events were organised to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in Maldives. To what extent were persons with disabilities and their organizations involved in the preparation of these events? How were they involved in health and education campaigns? What measure had been taken to combat stigma and negative stereotypes in language against persons with disabilities? What measures were being taken to encourage media outlets to adopt a human right based, rather than a charity-based model, when filming persons with disabilities? What measures were taken to ensure that persons with disabilities were evacuated when emergencies occurred?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said early identification was incorporated into the growth monitoring from the ages of birth to five years. Information was enhanced to identify more developmental child deficiencies. The State had the duty to provide direct protection of children which did not fall within the duties of their guardians or where children did not receive protection from their guardians. The State was mandated to provide special protection to children who had been removed from the home environment. Child protection services had the power to conduct a social inquiry assessment to access a child’s status.
The national action plan on prevention and response to violence against children was launched in 2024, with the aim to create safer homes, communities, educational settings and online spaces. The national action plan on prevention and response to violence against children ensured children with disabilities were not left behind and were fully included in national child protection efforts.
There were various State programmes for women with disabilities. Various programmes for women empowerment had been conducted through training. The national action plan on disability inclusion would come with multiple policies for children with disabilities, as well as a robust monitoring framework.
The Constitution of Maldives required Islam to be the basis of all laws of Maldives and laws could not be amended to be contradictory to Islam. The Government was taking measures to criminalise female genital mutilation. Currently, the Penal Code captured the act through the offense of assault and other protections.
There was no new legislation in the pipeline to ensure digital accessibility; this was a challenging area for the State. Accessibility was the cornerstone in the design of the domestic platform which provided public services.
Maldives was not undertaking any efforts to formalise the moratorium of the death penalty. The laws mandated that the death penalty could only be prescribed in limited circumstances. The death penalty sentence was subject to automatic appeal and needed to be confirmed by the Supreme Court. The death penalty had not been enforced in Maldives since 1954. A psychiatrist was based at the detention centre and psychotherapeutic support was provided.
The National Disaster Management Authority was the primary institution in Maldives to undertake disaster planning. The Authority had developed a national strategy for disaster risk reduction 2024–2030; it engaged with relevant stakeholders, including the Disability Council, to ensure inclusivity in the process. The Authority had implemented community-based disaster risk reduction programmes since 2014. A community emergency response team framework was currently in the process of being drafted. Persons with disabilities were also taken into consideration in the development of climate plans.
The provision of sign language interpreters in court was an ongoing challenge. The courts were mandated to make necessary adjustments to ensure the justice process was accessible to persons with disabilities. The new criminal court in Maldives would be accessible to persons with disabilities. The judicial sector was currently drawing up a policy on inclusive court processes. The judicial sector had developed a new design standard in 2021, ensuring all new buildings adhered to accessibility standards. Several new buildings had been constructed with these standards.
Recently the judicial service commission had revised its appointment regulation, and it was now focused on appointing judges on a merit-based process. On paper, there were no limitations for persons with disabilities to become a judge in Maldives. However, in reality, the State’s system was not designed in a manner where the judge would have all the support services necessary to execute their functions effectively. This was an area which needed work.
There had previously been a trend where persons with disabilities were easily taken to the home for persons with special needs, but now there were several assessments to be done before this could occur? A decreased number of persons with disabilities were now being taken to this facility. The facility was partially accessible, and it was ensured patients received the treatment needed. The mental health bill had been drafted, with inputs taken from all relevant agencies. The mental health aspect of persons with disabilities was included to ensure they were protected and had access to services. Relevant agencies and support groups had been consulted.
The delegation said the national emergency operation plan emphasised that persons with disabilities should be given special attention, with lead agencies to oversee this. The current evacuation practice gave special attention to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. During food and medical distribution, priority was given to persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. The most critical segment in devising an early warning mechanism was the involvement of persons with disabilities. Multiple consultations had involved persons with disabilities who had expressed concerns and ideas on how to best receive warnings.
Every year, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was recognised. Organizations of persons with disabilities were engaged and all activities were carried out as per the suggestions provided by these organizations. The State party engaged with media personnel on ways to report positively on persons with disabilities and what language needed to be sensitised. Community groups educated those on the islands on how to implement a community-based response and cater to persons with disabilities within the decentralised system.
Questions by Committee Experts
NATALIA GUALA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked how many reports had been lodged in the National Human Rights Council regarding allegations of torture or inhumane treatment of persons with disabilities? What measures were made available by the State party for persons with disabilities to lodge reports in connection with reasonable accommodation? Had measures been adopted to prevent instances of torture or ill-treatment from occurring in homes of persons with disabilities? Did police receive training on how to deal with cases lodged by persons with disabilities?
What measures had been adopted to ensure that persons with disabilities were not subjected to treatment without giving their consent? Were there mechanisms which persons with disabilities or their families could use to submit complaints for treatment they had not consented to?
Had the birth registration system been designed in a way that allowed persons with disabilities to autonomously register their children? What policies were in place for migrants with disabilities? How could these people be registered? Did they have the right to receive social services, education and employment?
What percentage of homes had been handed over to persons with disabilities? What plans did the State have to promote independent living for persons with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said staff who looked after persons with disabilities in facilities were required to undergo a specialised training programme; CCTV cameras were installed and there were standard procedures that staff should follow if a patient’s rights were violated. There were two reporting mechanisms available.
The police service act had been overhauled and policing was based on a human rights approach. The police force was receiving constant training in various aspects of human rights. Police officers engaged in human rights training on a variety of topics as part of their recruitment training. These officers received a basic training on Conventions the State was a party to, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The State’s helpline was undergoing a revamp to make it accessible for persons with disabilities to lodge complaints on the infringement of their rights.
If a patient could not give consent themselves, consent would be obtained from the family. A complaints mechanism was established for any service disruptions or any violations or breaches of services in the healthcare system. Monitoring was conducted in government facilities by the Ministry of Health.
The national register had special operating procedures and regulations for providing accessible formats. The national migration health policy aimed to provide health care services at all stages of the migration cycle.
A specific category had been indicated for persons with disabilities for the allocation of housing units; they were awarded an additional 10 points in the assessment process. The housing bill being deliberated at Parliament allocated housing for persons with disabilities and earmarked specific measures to ensure such units were physically accessible for persons with disabilities. The Government had allocated a budget to build more than 12,000 housing units nationwide across 58 islands.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert asked how the State planned to improve inter-agency coordination between different government bodies to respond to issues of exploitation and abuse of persons with disabilities? What was the State doing to monitor and prevent abuse committed under the guise of spiritual healing practices, especially concerning women and children with disabilities?
Another Expert said in the future, there could be a technical dialogue to exchange experience with countries of similar context, culture and religion. What measures had the State taken to constitute wide, supported decision making practices and get rid of guardianship for persons with disabilities, particularly those with psychosocial disabilities?
An Expert asked what steps were being taken to develop accessible grievance mechanisms for persons with disabilities at all levels?
GEREL DONDOVDORJ, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, said only partial subsidies were provided for assistive devices, with remaining costs required to be covered by the individual with disabilities. What steps was the State party taking to address this issue? What measures were being implemented to ensure persons with disabilities had access to assistive devices technologies, including mobility aids of their choice, without financial burdens? How was it ensured that persons with disabilities had equal access to obtaining driver licenses? Were there any legal measures in the State party to exempt persons with disabilities from customs and tariffs when they purchased assistive devices from abroad?
Persons with disabilities continued to face barriers in accessing public information and communication, including television programmes, websites and other media services. The Committee had received information that there were only two sign language interpreters and only two accessible websites in the State party. How would the State party ensure persons with disabilities access to the media and other platforms? Was there a plan to review existing legislation to bring it in line with the Convention, ensuring persons with disabilities could receive and seek public information? What was the plan to officially recognise Maldivian sign language in the Constitution and train more sign language interpreters?
The Committee had received information that women with psychosocial disabilities had been sterilised due to pressure from their family members. Did the State party have any comprehensive plan to combat negative stereotypes against persons with disabilities, particularly those with psychosocial disabilities? Were there any measures to ensure families with persons with disabilities received adequate support and services to raise their children at home?
What concrete strategy was in place to ensure the effective implementation of the inclusive education strategy? Were all teachers trained on the inclusive education concept, including sign language and Braille? Was it ensured that the physical environment of the school was accessible? What measures was the State party taking to address the issue of bullying of children with disabilities? How was it ensured that all children with disabilities had an opportunity to access higher education and enrol in university?
Responses by the Delegation
According to the decentralised act, the Island Council was mandated to visit households of vulnerable groups, including persons with disability. Certain practices were intended to be healing practices, however, when they were used as a disguise for abuse, this was a criminal offence in Maldives. There had been an incident in 2020 where this occurred and multiple criminal charges were raised against two perpetrators. The case was ongoing in the criminal court.
Homes visits were carried out if children did not attend school for more than five days or if they frequently missed school, whether they were children with disabilities or not.
The disability act was being reviewed; during this process, the State would review the whole legal system and see if it could be aligned with the Convention provisions.
Some steps were being taken to ensure accessibility in the judicial sector. Within the criminal justice system, there were unfortunately no specific mechanisms for persons with disabilities to lodge complaints. Typically, correction officers would extend their support to persons with disabilities in detention.
Work was almost completed for a revised assistance priority list for Maldives, with consultation from the World Health Organization. There had been instances where customs tariffs were levied, but this was on a case-by-case basis.
The biggest barrier identified by the State was the reading of the Maldivian language by the visually impaired. Work was being done to address this gap, to ensure screen reading in English and Maldivian would be implemented, as well as on websites.
The State recognised the family as an integral component for any social intervention. For those with disabilities, all mechanisms considered a family approach. One mechanism was financial support, when families were subject to an increased risk of social isolation. Target groups were identified and interventions were conducted. The healthcare professionals who provided family planning services were required to follow national family planning guidelines, which specially prescribed the positions for sterilisations to be conducted or offered. It was mainly based on health risks to the mother, or other conditions, not disability. Forced sterilisation of persons with disabilities was prevented thanks to these guidelines.
The individualised curriculum plan was introduced with the new inclusive education policy, which would stipulate the adaptions to be made with respect to each individual child. The plan would be made in consultation with the parent, the student and teachers. The State was in the process of implementing an extensive information education system which would be able to track those who were not in school and make provisions for them to come into the system.
All teachers needed to be trained on the inclusive education policy. So far, 4,090 teachers had received inclusive education training. The State was currently working on building the skills of secondary language teachers in teaching children with complex learning profiles and 380 teachers had been reached. There were multiple mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the inclusive education policy. Regarding the safety and security of children with disabilities in the school system, there were complaints and review mechanisms in place.
A fully inclusive model regarding higher education was not fully in place. However, higher education financing was moving towards a less competitive model. A new framework ensured students with disabilities would receive special slots in government services and loan schemes and were provided with special application pathways.
Questions by Committee Experts
NATALIA GUALA, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked if there was a fair distribution of healthcare personnel across all the atolls? What kind of support did the State party provide to persons with disabilities living outside the capital, who were required to travel there to use rehabilitation services? Were they supported with financial benefits or transport accommodation? What plans would be rolled out to decentralise rehabilitation services in the atolls?
What measures had been developed to promote the recruitment of persons with disabilities in the private and public sectors? What steps would be taken to motivate persons with disabilities to find employment opportunities? Was there data on persons with disabilities seeking employment opportunities? What percentage of persons with disabilities received social benefits? Were there plans to establish a measure designed to guarantee independent voting for persons with disabilities?
A Committee Expert asked for more details about the recognition of Maldivian sign language?
Another Expert asked how many learners with deaf blindness had been involved in education in the State party? Were they in special schools or mainstream schools? What services were available to them?
An Expert appreciated information on vocational training, sensitisation and empowerment in the workplace. How would the Government ensure reasonable accommodation and workplace accessibility standards across all sectors?
A Committee Expert said the Committee had received two verified cases of sterilisation of women with disabilities; one was deaf and one had a mental health condition. How many women and girls with disabilities had been coercively sterilised in Maldives?
GEREL DONDOVDORJ, Committee Expert and Taskforce Member, asked what measures were in place to ensure the protection of the privacy of persons with disabilities, particularly those lodging complaints?
ABDELMAJID MAKNI, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, asked what care was provided by the State to children with multiple disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said there were challenges in providing the same level of care due everywhere to the geographic nature of the State. Strategic locations had been identified for the provision of services. Trainings had been conducted in various areas and in different locations in the country on psychosocial services. The State had plans to improve the situation and provide the further training required. The disability centre in Malé was a central level centre which received referrals from all across the country. There were plans to increase these services at the regional level.
The Government liaised with companies that were interested in employing persons with disabilities and conducted job matching. Workplace sensitisation was also carried out. An empowerment hub had been developed which was a transit spot for persons with disabilities to transit into work. The State party aimed to work with persons with disabilities as they transferred from school, to life, to work.
Anyone who was registered on the disability registry received social benefits. If more than three persons with disabilities resided in one household, an additional allowance was provided.
A third amendment had been brought to the general elections to introduce plastic ballot template voting for visually impaired voters for the first time. This was a remarkable achievement in making the political process accessible for persons with disabilities, but gaps remained. The Elections Commission had engaged with the National Human Rights Council and disability rights stakeholders to better understand barriers faced by voters. There were no plans to ratify the Marrakech Treaty, however, the State considered an objective of the treaty had been implemented within an amendment of the copyright act 2024.
Closing Remarks
AHMED USHAM, Attorney General of the Republic of Maldives and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee members for their valuable observations and guidance which had offered valuable insights in efforts to strengthen the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Maldives. In recent years, inclusivity had been firmly embedded into State policies and programmes. The State would approach the recommendations of the Committee in a spirit of openness, partnership and accountability.
ABDELMAJID MAKNI, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator, commended Maldives for the efforts made to be involved in the constructive dialogue and thanked the State party for its commitment to persons with disabilities. Accessibility was crucial for persons with disabilities to ensure they could live independently and fully participate in life on an equal basis with everyone else. The State party should ensure its laws were harmonised with the Convention; it was important for Maldives to accede to the Optional Protocol of the Convention. Mr. Makni thanked the State party’s delegation for taking the time to travel to Geneva, which was a sign of their commitment.
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CRPD25.013E