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The Maldives, along with six other nations, was reviewed by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in January 2026. The body of 18 independent international experts highlighted both the positives and negatives of the island state’s recent actions and plans in the realm of children’s rights.
Photo source: Supriya S, via Unsplash, November 14th, 2017.
28-01-2026 | Dominik Miklósi | Asia Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
Between January 12th and 30th, 2026, the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) hosted its most recent sessions, where it assessed the following countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, and Spain. The listed states are all parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter “the Convention”) along with 189 other nations.
The Maldives was subject to review on January 12th, 2026, where the CRC, consisting of 18 international independent experts examined the South Asian country based on its implementation of recommendations, Optional Protocols, and the Convention’s provisions. The sessions took place at the Ground Floor Conference Room, Palais Wilson, Geneva.
The 18 experts of the CRC oversee a wide range of child-related issues across the globe. This includes, among others, the employment of child soldiers in armed conflicts, the sale of children, child pornography, and prostitution in State Parties to the Convention.
During the review, experts expressed their admiration for the Maldives’ recently introduced regulations addressing child protection and juvenile justice. Mr. Hynd Ayoubi Idrissi, Committee Expert and Taskforce Coordinator for the Maldives, commended this legislative step and applauded the implementation of the Optional Protocol. However, the experts of the CRC voiced their concerns in connection with the Maldives’ future endeavour of lowering the minimum age of criminal liability to 12. Furthermore, they expressed doubts regarding the island state’s restrictions in the context of not granting citizenship to either non-Muslim children or those born outside of a lawful marriage. The Maldives confirmed that these rules stem from Sharia law and are not subject to change, but special attention was paid so as not to result in statelessness for affected children.
In conclusion, the Maldives made substantial progress in the promotion and protection of children’s rights. Although hurdles remain before the South Asian country, it has taken important actions to adhere to recommendations, Optional Protocols, and the Convention.
