A/HRC/4/21/Add.3 page 4 Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, carried out a mission to the Maldives from 6 to 10 August 2006, at the invitation of the Government. The Special Rapporteur requested the invitation following the receipt of information alleging that adherents of religions other than Islam were subjected to de jure and de facto limitations on their right to freedom of religion or belief. The visit was carried out pursuant to her mandate to assess compliance with international standards on the right to freedom of religion or belief. During her stay, she visited the capital Male and the islands of K. Dhiffushi and K. Thulusdhoo in Kaafu Atoll. She also visited Maafushi Prison in Kaafu Atoll. 2. In Male, the Special Rapporteur had the honour of meeting with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. She also held meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General, the Minister of Gender and Family, the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, the Chief Government Spokesman, the Chief Justice, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Information and Arts, the Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Labour, the Principal Collector of Customs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Atolls Development, the Speaker of the Special Majlis, the Chair of the Drafting Committee of the Special Majlis and the Minister of Education. She also had the opportunity to meet with the staff and pupils of a local school. 3. Besides, the Special Rapporteur met with representatives of the Human Rights Commission, non-governmental organizations, representatives of the print and television media, the Law Society, and religious representatives. She also met with representatives of three political parties, the ruling Dhivehi Rayithunge Party (DVP), the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) and Adhaalath Party. Despite her efforts, she was unable to meet with representatives of the Islamic Democratic Party (IDP). 4. In K. Dhiffushi and K. Thulusdhoo, the Special Rapporteur met with local governmental officials, representatives of the Island Development Committees and representatives of the Island Women’s Committees. She also had the opportunity to meet with a number of expatriate workers. During her visit to Maafushi Prison, she met with prison authorities and foreign prisoners. 5. The Special Rapporteur would like to thank the Maldivian authorities for their invitation. Her visit was the first official mission to be carried out by a special procedures mandate-holder to the Maldives. She also thanks the Government for the good cooperation extended to her both during and subsequent to her visit by replying to her questions and providing further documents. In particular she is grateful to those interlocutors, who spoke freely with her and were able to hold a candid discussion on the subject of freedom of religion or belief. She would also like to thank the United Nations Country Team for the logistical support provided to her both before and during the mission. Furthermore, she would like to express her gratitude for the information she received from institutions and bodies of the United Nations system and international civil society groups.