International Submissions

This report addresses the Maldives’ compliance with its international human rights obligations regarding the death penalty and related issues, such as gender-based violence, access to justice, conditions of detention, and freedom of religion. At present, the Maldives retains the death penalty and has not yet ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

For women in conflict with the law, the criminal legal system perpetuates negative stereotypes and reinforces discriminatory gender roles, including in capital cases. Additionally, the threat of the death penalty discourages human rights defenders from engaging in advocacy, including on women’s rights issues.