5. Some extracts from the report which highlight such concerns are set out below: I. "The Maldives has remained a Muslim country for the last 800 years, and the social framework, historic and traditional values have evolved over the decades, to be intricately tied to Islamic practises. Given this context, the Constitution of the Maldives not only stipulates Islam as the State religion, but also requires that every Maldivian should be a Muslim."4 II. "Attitudes towards public life of women have also been changing due to religious approaches taken by some. Child marriages outside of courts, female genital mutilation and circumcisions, refusal to immunise babies, and rising acceptance of violence have been reported. Marriages outside of court—which are illegal—means women, once divorced, cannot seek child support, or register their children. Non-vaccination excludes children from formal schooling."5 6. During the Second Cycle Portugal recommended that the Maldives ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and the 1967 Protocol; the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons; and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. This recommendation was noted.6 7. While this was the only recommendation directly on statelessness, a number of other relevant recommendations were also made: I. Asylum-seekers - refugees: Germany recommended that the Maldives ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.7 This recommendation was noted. II. Freedom of religion and belief: A number of countries recommended that the Maldives remove religious restrictions that currently prevent non-Muslims from becoming citizens, including Italy which recommended that the Maldives: "Remove legal provisions that restrict the right to freedom of religion or belief, including article 9(d) of the Constitution, which bars non-Muslims from being Maldivian citizens."8 Recommendations on this issue were noted. III. Trafficking: A number of states expressed concern with regard to protections for migrant workers and the continued need to implement effective measures against human trafficking.9 These recommendations were supported by the Maldives. IV. Rights of Child: Paraguay and Namibia recommended that the Maldives remove discrimination against children born outside of court sanctioned marriages. These recommendations were noted. 4 Ibid 13 (emphasis added). Ibid 19 (emphasis added). 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 5 2