Universal Declaration of Human Rights Banned In Maldives

In a startling move reported today by Minivan News, the President of the Maldives has banned copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from being distributed in the country. The Maldives has signed onto the Universal Declaration, and the Maldives Human Rights Commission has been distributing copies for the last year. However, now the Maldivan High Council on Islamic Matters has issued a press release claiming that Articles 16 and 18 of the Universal Declaration contravene the Maldivan Constitution. Those articles provide for freedom of religion, freedom to change religions, and for equality for men and women, and for people of all religions. The Maldives Constitution declares Islam the religion of the Maldives. In an understatement, the Minivan News commented that "the President may be trying to 'play the religious card' by banning the document".