Maldives elected as UN Human Rights Council Vice President

Maldives has been elected as the Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council.

Reuters has reported that the countries elected as Vice President of the Council following a vote on Monday were Maldives, Mauritania, Ecuador and Switzerland.

Poland was elected as the Chairman of the 47-member Council.

International human rights groups have criticised Maldives and Mauritania being elected to this post, as both these countries permit citizens who renounce Islam to be sentenced to death.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) said in a report detailing persecution and discrimination faced by atheists and humanists around the world, that both countriesimpose Islam as the sole religion of the state.

Critics have highlighted that this report was welcomed by the UN special investigator on freedom of religion and belief.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon said at a press conference held on Monday, that Maldives being elected as the Vice Chairman of the UN Human Right Council shows that the international community accepts Maldives’ efforts in relation to human rights.