A/HRC/30/8 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its twenty-second session from 4 to 15 May 2015. The review of Maldives was held at the 6th meeting, on 6 May 2015. The delegation of Maldives was headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon. At its 10th meeting, held on 8 May 2015, the Working Group adopted the report on Maldives. 2. On 13 January 2015, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Maldives: Argentina, France and India. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Maldives: (a) A national report (A/HRC/WG.6/22/MDV/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (A/HRC/WG.6/22/MDV/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR (A/HRC/WG.6/22/MDV/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Canada, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Maldives through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the Working Group. II. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The head of the delegation noted that a sense of pride and responsibility defined the Maldivian people, who were guided by that sentiment to craft their own story of progress, a story of resilience that the Maldivians proudly referred to as “the Maldivian story”. A significant part of the Maldivian story consisted of the country’s constructive partnerships with international agencies and Governments that were serious in supporting positive change in the country. 6. Maldives believed in the universality and equality of States under the universal periodic review. In preparing for its review, Maldives followed a policy of inclusivity through the standing committee on the review, which was led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Attorney General’s Office. 7. Democratization began in 1932, with the first written Constitution and the introduction of universal adult suffrage. The Constitution was significantly revised with the reform agenda of 2004. A new Constitution was adopted in 2008, bringing about a significant paradigm shift in society. 8. Fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of the media, freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and freedom from forced labour, were guaranteed in the Constitution of 2008. They could not be infringed, not even in a state of emergency. 9. Maldives had one of the most liberal interpretations of freedom of expression: it placed no restrictions on freedom of the media, including online newspapers, ensuring the 3