Important documents

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Signed: 21 Aug 1990
Ratification: 11 Feb 1991
Upon signature:
Reservations:
  1. "Since the Islamic Shariah is one of the fundamental sources of Maldivian Law and since Islamic Shariah does not include the system of adoption among the ways and means for the protection and care of children contained in Shariah, the Government of the Republic of Maldives expresses its reservation with respect to all the clauses and provisions relating to adoption in the said Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  2. The Government of the Republic of Maldives expresses its reservation to paragraph 1 of article 14 of the said Convention on the Rights of the Child since the Constitution and the Laws of the Republic of Maldives stipulate that all Maldivians should be Muslims."

Upon ratification: Reservations to articles 14 and 21.
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OP-CRC-AC) Declaration:
  1. "The Minimum age at which the Maldives permits recruitment to its National Security Service and its Police Service is 18 years.
  2. Any individual who wishes to enter the National Security Service and the Police Service has to apply for it in writing.
  3. All applicants are required to present proof of birth date.
  4. All applicants short listed for recruitment are carefully screened for medical fitness. "
Child Rights Protection act 19-2019 The Child Rights Protection Bill, passed by the People's Majlis at the 65th sitting of its third session, on 14th November 2019. The president of Maldives ratified the Bill on 20th November 2019. Upon ratification, the Act has been published in the Government Gazette.
Juvenile Justice Act 18-2019 The Juvenile Justice Bill, passed by the People's Majlis at the 65th sitting of its third session, on 14th November 2019. The president of Maldives ratified the Bill on 20th November 2019. Upon ratification, the Act has been published in the Government Gazette.
Juvenile Justice Act 18-2019 Amendment 1 First amendment bill to Juvenile Justice Act 18-2019, passed by the People's Majlis at the 28th sitting of its third session, on 7 December 2020. The president of Maldives ratified the Bill on 24 December 2020. Upon ratification, the Act has been published in the Government Gazette.
Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders 12-2009 Special Provisions Act to Deal with Child Sex Abuse Offenders 12-2009, passed by the People's Majlis at the 60th sitting, on 4th November 2009. The president of Maldives ratified the Bill on 12 November 2009. Upon ratification, the Act has been published in the Government Gazette.