25th March 2011, Geneva; The UN Human Rights Council today adopted a strong international resolution designed to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against persons based on religion or belief. The resolution was negotiated by a core group of Islamic States including Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Maldives; as well as representatives of the United States and the European Union. It is the first time that the international community has adopted such a stance by consensus.

Speaking during the debate in the Council, Ms. Liusha Zahir, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Maldives noted that "Islamaphobia and related intolerance, stereotyping, incitement, and violence based on religion or belief is one of the most pressing human rights issues facing the world today. It has always been the Maldives view that, considering the scale and importance of the problem, it is vital for the international community to respond to it with one voice and with a common purpose. Only by responding together can we hope to solve this truly global problem".

"For this reason, the Maldives was pleased to be in the OIC's core group of ambassadors working on the resolution and is delighted that the text has been adopted by consensus. The Maldives believes the adopted resolution provides an effective and practical blueprint for protecting individuals around the world, a blueprint for action. The Maldives looks forward to the implementation of the steps foreseen therein and is committed to playing its part".

The Maldives also paid tribute to the leadership of Pakistan in the negotiation of the resolution.

ENDS

25th March 2011, Geneva; The Maldives today secured the adoption of a resolution, at the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting the negative human rights impacts of environmental degradation, including as a result of climate change, and calling on States to be adopt a rights-based approach to environmental matters. The resolution secured the co sponsorship of 75 States and was adopted by consensus. When introducing the resolution, Ms. Liusha Zahir, the Maldives Deputy Permanent Representative, highlighted the crucial importance of the natural environment to the socio-economic development of the Maldives and to the rights of its people.

Resolution L.7 on Human Rights and the Environment, which the Maldives tabled with Costa Rica and Switzerland, notes that: environmental protection and sustainable development are essential for the full enjoyment of human rights; that, conversely, environmental damage undermines human rights especially amongst vulnerable population groups such as women, children, the poor, the elderly and disabled persons; that international cooperation to effectively address environmental damage is therefore essential to promote and protect human rights; and that human rights principles such as non-discrimination, equality and access to information and decision-making, can help strengthen environmental policy.

The resolution then calls for the UN to prepare an analysis of the relationship between human rights and the environment to be considered by the Human Rights Council. This analysis will looks at key issues such as the human rights obligations of States to protect the environment and thus human rights, the development of environmental rights around the world, and the question of whether a country which pollutes the global environment and thus undermined human rights in another country, can be held accountable for human rights violations.

Speaking after the adoption, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem said: "The Maldives relies on its pristine natural environment for its social and economic well-being. The sustainability of key economic sectors such as the tourism and fisheries sectors require the careful management and conservation of the environment. It is also clear that environmental damage would severely undermine key human rights such as the right to food, the right to clean drinking water and sanitation, and the right to the highest attainable standard of health.

It is for these reasons that the Maldives has always taken a lead on environmental matters in international fora. With the Human Rights Council resolution, the Maldives hopes to draw attention to the human rights implications of environmental damage, including climate change, as a way of putting pressure on polluting States as well as to improve environmental policy-making.

The resolution also takes initial steps to explore the concept of environmental rights at international level, and to address key legal questions pertaining to human rights and environment".

ENDS

25th March 2011, Geneva;A UN resolution tabled by a cross-regional group containing the Maldives, the United States, Zambia and Sweden, on the subject of the human rights situation in Iran, was adopted today by the Human Rights Council at its 16th regular session in Geneva. The Resolution expresses concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran and mandates the establishment of a UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur.

22 March 2011, Singapore; The Maldivian Government today has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to collaborate in the field of trade facilitation and promotion in the Maldives.

In the ceremony which took place this morning at the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, High Commissioner of Republic of Maldives to Singapore, H.E Mr. Mohamed Khaleel signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives and Mr. Alphonsus Chia, the Chief Executive Office of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprises signed on behalf of the Agency.

According to the MOU, the areas of collaboration include capacity building of Ministry of Economic Development through sharing of Singapore's lessons and experiences on the strategic planning aspects for economic growth and attracting foreign direct investment. It also allows cooperation between the two parties to provide customized sustainable capacity building programs aimed at international best practices in trade facilitation.

The MOU also covers, capacity building of Ministry of Finance and Treasury through sharing of information on the Singapore's GST Model and through customized programs to train a core team of middle management staff to implement and supervise tax collection in all provinces.

Singapore Corporation Enterprises is an Agency formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore to share Singapore's expertise in public sector development with foreign governments.

ENDS.

21 March 2011, Male':The President of Maldives His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed has appointed His Excellency Mr Ahmed Naseem as the Minister of Foreign Affairs today.

Speaking after the presentation of his Letter of Appointment, the President said he had utmost confidence in his ability to discharge his duties. The President also expressed his confidence of the People's Majlis endorsing His Excellency Mr Naseem as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

16th March 2011, Geneva;The United Nations Human Rights Council today adopted the Maldives' Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome report containing a summary of the human rights situation in the country and a series of recommendations by the Maldives' international partners as to how the situation could be improved. Under the UPR process, each Member State of the UN must undergo a review of its human rights situation every four years. Speaking at the adoption, the Maldives Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, welcomed the UPR process as "a unique and useful exercise" which has "encouraged us to think and act in different ways in the sphere of human rights". "The Maldives' approach to the UPR process" she noted, "has been premised on the same principles with which we approach all our interactions with the Human Rights Council. In particular, we have tried to be honest, transparent, self-critical, and willing to listen".

The first part of the Maldives' outcome report contains the views of States on the Maldives' human rights record. In it the Maldives' international partners warmly welcome the significant human rights achievements of recent years and encourage the country to continue its efforts to consolidate democracy and strengthen fundamental freedoms. States then made recommendations for improvement.

In the Maldives' case, 126 recommendations were tabled, the vast majority of which the Maldives has accepted to implement before its next review in four years time. According to Ambassador Adam, "these accepted recommendations cover a wide-range of important issues and, when implemented, will make a significant positive contribution to human rights in the Maldives". Steps that the Maldives has agreed to take include:

· Ratify the two remaining conventions to which the Maldives is not yet party - namely the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, and the Convention on the Human Rights of Migrant Workers.

· Strengthen the Maldives compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

· Work with the judiciary to strengthen independence, professionalism and capacity.

· Draft, table and adopt legislation designed to improve human rights protection in the country, such as the new Penal Code and specific laws dealing with equality and non-discrimination.

· Strengthen the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights in the Maldives, including in the areas of health, education, employment, trafficking, drug-rehabilitation, and juvenile delinquency.

After responding to the 100 or so recommendations that the Maldives was able to accept, Ambassador Adam gave the Government's position on those that could not be implemented in the short-term. These recommendations covered issues such a: abolition of the death penalty and corporal punishment, freedom of religion and conscience; and gay rights. On corporal punishment,Ambassador Adam stated that "while the Government sympathizes with the recommendations made on this point, it is not possible at the present time to consider prohibition. Instead, we acceptto consult with relevant national and international authorities to assess whether the application of corporal punishment, as currently practiced in the Maldives, is compatible with the our international obligations under the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT), and also whether the newly-independent judiciary in the country has the capacity, at present, to pass down such punishments in a manner fully consistent with the Maldives Constitution and international human rights law, in particular those provisions dealing with non-discrimination on the basis of gender".

On freedom of religion, Ambassador Adam explained that the Maldives is a 100% Muslim country, and that in the Maldives national consciousness, being a Maldivian and being a Muslim cannot be separated - the are rather two sides of the same coin... "It extremely difficult to introduce principles of freedom of conscience into the country", explained the Ambassador. "Notwithstanding this, the Maldives fully understands to importance of tolerance and understanding across all walks of life - including religion. We have therefore decided, as a first step, to accept recommendation 100.91 and tobegin domestic awareness-raising and open public debate on religious issues. Moreover, bearing in mind that perceptions of human rights and religion in the Maldives are heavily influenced by relevant international debates and norms, the Maldives has decided to host, in 2012, a major international conference on modern Sharia jurisprudence and human rights".

ENDS

16th March 2011, Brussels;The first ever resident Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Ali Hussain Didi, today presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Albert II King of the Belgians.

In a ceremony held at the Royal Castle in Laeken His Majesty welcomed the Ambassador on his appointment, and spoke on further strengthening the relations between the Maldives and Belgium. Ambassador Didi thanked His Majesty for the welcome and passed on a message of goodwill from H.E. President Nasheed.

On His Majesty's query on climate change, Ambassador Didi spoke on the challenges Maldives was facing in climate change, specifically that adaptation measures remained a costly affair for the Maldives, and noted that assistance in this area was necessary. Ambassador Didi further noted that the Maldives remained vulnerable to piracy due to its close proximity to active pirate zones, and assured His Majesty that the combined efforts of the US and UK governments along with the EU remained crucial to addressing the situation.

His Majesty was also briefed on the economic cooperation between the EU and the Maldives, as well as the challenges facing the Maldives following graduation from the Least Developed Country status. Ambassador Didi also detailed the benefits of tourism to the Maldives pursuant to easier access from Belgium to the Maldives.

Ambassador Didi was accompanied by Mr Ahmed Nasir from the Maldives Embassy in Belgium. A Maldives Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium was established in October 2010.

ENDS.

4th March 2011, Geneva;The Maldives delegation at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today used a debate on the deteriorating human rights situation in Libya to call for robust international intervention, including through the imposition of the UN no-fly zone across the country, in order to prevent ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations by Muammar Gadaffi and the Libyan authorities. The Maldives has played a leading role at the Human Rights Council in the latter's efforts to hold the Gadaffi regime accountable for such violations including be cosponsoring an emergency session of the Council in February.

Speaking on behalf of the Maldives, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ms. Liusha Zahir, acknowledged that despite strong initial responses by the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council, "the Libyan authorities have intensified their attacks against their own people - people who have asked nothing more than the right to choose their own government, speak their mind, and determine their own future".

The Maldives thus called for immediate international intervention to protect the human rights, including the right to life, of the Libyan people.

"Let us be very frank, the Libyan authorities have reneged on their primary responsibility to protect their own people. It is therefore beholden on us, the international community, to immediately intervene and fulfill our duty to protect.

If the international community does not, there can be no doubt that Muammar Gadaffi will use his superior military forces to snuff-out the flame of democracy in Libya and unleash terrible retribution against those who dared to oppose him. Are we really ready to stand by and watch another Rwanda, another Bosnia, unfold on our TV screens?" asked Ms. Zahir.

The Maldives thus urged world's major powers to abandon their "wait and see" policy and to immediately act to protect the civilian population. "In particular we urge the Security Council to show leadership and immediately impose a no-fly zone over Libya in line with the request of the Arab League".

"Through its own actions, the Gadaffi government has lost its legitimacy and its right to govern. The international community, led by the UN, must therefore immediately open channels of communication, on a humanitarian basis, with the Transitional National Council", concluded
Ms. Zahir.

ENDS

14th March 2011: New York;The Republic of Maldives and the Republic of Ecuador established diplomatic relations, today. The Joint Communiqué formalising diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed on behalf of the Government of Maldives, by H.E. Mr Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the United Nations and by H.E. Mr Francisco Carrion Mena, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations, on behalf of the Government of Ecuador. The ceremony was held at the Permanent Mission of Ecuador

Ecuador is located in the Pacific rim of the South American Continent. The country's political system is a representative democracy with His Excellency Mr Rafael Correa, who was elected to office on 15 January 2007. During the ceremony, Ambassador Ghafoor spoke of the desire of the Maldives to expand its bilateral reach and build partnerships in the South and Central American especially on climate change and other issues of concern. Ambassador Mena of Ecuador mentioned that the Maldives has always been a friend to Ecuador, and pledged that his government will work closely with the Maldives bilaterally and also in the international fora.

Ecuador is the 157th country to establish diplomatic relations with the Maldives.

14th March 2011, Geneva; H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, First Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Federal Republic of Germany has presented her Letter of Credence to H. E. Mr. Christian Wulff, President of Germany, in a ceremony of flag raising and Guard of Honour at the German President's Official Residence held today.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Ambassador Adam conveyed the warm greetings from President Nasheed and people of the Republic of Maldives.She briefed the President on the ongoing efforts to democratic consolidation and protection of human rights as well the economic and social reform programme. Ambassador Adam also expressed the appreciation of the Government of Maldives for the valuable assistance from Germany for the Maldives' democratic process.

Ambassador Adam praised the leadership role by Germany within the European Union and throughout the globe on international peace and security, and climate change. Highlighting the vulnerabilities of the Maldives to climate change, Ambassador Adam noted that Germany was an example of green development for fellow industrialized countries. She also noted that Germany being one of the most crucial tourism markets for the Maldives the Government of Maldives was looking forward for more ‘people-to-people' between the two countries.

President H. E. Mr. Christian Wulff welcomed Ambassador Iruthisham Adam's appointment and expressed pleasure that Maldives remained a popular tourist paradise for many Germans. While noting the Maldives' experience as a model for other Islamic countries undertaking democratic transition, President Wulff praised Maldives' efforts to consolidate democracy.

During her official consultations with the senior officials of Germany, discussions were also held on increasing more academic and training opportunities for Maldives from Germany, to boost German investments and partnership in the Maldives. She also requested for German assistance on the Maldives efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and empowerment of the Maldivian civil society.

During her visit to Berlin, Ambassador Adam also met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Werner Hoyer, Heads of the South Asia Division and Crises Prevention; Post Conflict, Peace Building and State Building; Promoting Democracy and Equipment Aid. She also met with the Head of Climate Finance of the Federal Foreign and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Federal Ministry for Environment, Friedrich Ebert Stifung Foundation and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Germany.She further discussed business opportunities for Maldives with the Member of Parliament and Honorary Consul Hon. Mr. Christiam Freiherr von Stetten and a group of German investors.

END.

12 March 2011, Male'; The Maldives is to provide emergency disaster supplies to Japan, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the north-east of the country on Friday.

The Maldives has offered Japan in-kind assistance of 1,800 cases of canned Maldivian tuna, containing a total of 86,400 cans, to help feed a town affected by the disaster.

Acting Foreign Minister Mohamed Aslam said it was "right and proper" for the Maldives to help Japan respond to the disaster.

"Japan is a stalwart ally of the Maldives and our largest bilateral donor. Our relationship goes back many years with Japan supporting us in many sectors such as education and infrastructure. Japan also helped us when the devastating 2004 tsunami hit the Maldives and so the Maldives will stand by Japan during their time of need," said Aslam.

The shipment of tuna is due to be sent to Japan shortly and will be dispatched to local disaster response officials.

The Japanese earthquake and resulting tsunami has claimed hundreds of lives, while over 200,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.

11 March 2011, Male'; The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Housing and Environment HE. Mr. Mohamed Aslam has sent a message of sympathy to the Minister Foreign Affairs of Japan H.E. Mr. Takeaki Matsumoto following the loss of many lives, injury to many people, and extensive damage caused by the massive earthquake that hit Northern parts of the country and the tsunami triggered by the earthquake.

The Acting Foreign Minister Aslam's message to Foreign Minister Takeaki reads as follows:

Quote:

It was with deep sorrow that I learned of the loss of lives and extensive devastation to homes and property caused by the earthquake and tsunami that hit the parts of Northern Japan.

I would like to extend our deep sympathies to you, the Government and the people of Japan. Please also convey our sincere condolences to the members of the bereaved families.

Unquote.

10th March 2011, Brussels;The Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Maldives to Belgium and the European Union, H.E. Mr Ali Hussain Didi, has concluded a first series of courtesy visits with his counterparts representing various European Union Member States.

In meetings with the EU representatives, including key countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany and France, the Ambassador-Designate briefed on focus areas such as the move to full democratization and subsequent efforts; the threat of climate change to the Maldives; H.E. President Nasheed's engagement for the country to become carbon neutral by 2010; and the challenges of having graduated from Least Developed Country status in January 2011.

Ambassador-designate Didi added that his key priorities in Brussels would be to encourage greater economic activity and cooperation between the European Union and the Maldives as well as to provide for increased ease of access and movement of people to the EU area. Support for the sustainable and eco friendly nature of the country's fisheries industry would also receive priority for engagement with the EU. This would be in addition to regular contact on trade, climate change and development issues.

All EU Permanent Representatives were keen to engage on the issues raised. They were fully aware of the carbon neutral pledge in addition to the 2009 underwater cabinet meeting. The move to full democratization also received focus and praise in view of its peaceful conclusion.

Ambassador-Designate Didi pledged that following impending formal presentation of credentials to the European Union authorities more detailed and regular contact with EU representatives would be established.

ENDS.

10 March 2011, New York;The Maldives Mission to the United Nations , in collaboration with the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed, Landlocked, and Small Island Countries (UN OHRLLS), convened a meeting today to discuss the smooth transition of countries that are identified for graduation from the list of Least Developed Counties (LDCs). Countries that are members of this list are entitled to financial and technical assistance that focus on the development challenges for the least developed economies in the world. Some of these benefits include providing for tariff free exports that are then made capable of competing with the same exports from larger countries that pay higher tariffs - making their goods more expensive than those of LDCs.

The socioeconomic progress of these countries is reviewed every three years. When a country has achieved a certain level of development, the country is identified for graduation from the list of LDCs and many of its benefits are scaled down over a three year period. The meeting held by Maldives aimed to stress the need to phase out all benefits provided to LDCs upon graduation in such a way that it does not disrupt the development programs of graduating countries. Maldives recently graduated from this list on 1 January 2011.

The meeting began with presentations by experts from UN OHRLLS, the Office of the President of the General Assembly (PGA), the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), and the United Nations Committee on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which all discussed the history, challenges, and proposals for improving the smooth transition of countries from the LDC list. The panel discussions were followed by a statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations, H.E. Ghafoor Mohamed, who noted that as one of only two countries to graduate from the 49-member list this decade, Maldives' graduation experience was germane to improving the smooth transition of graduating countries. Ambassador Mohamed warned that the current process was underdeveloped and underprepared to deal with the international community's goal to halve the list of LDCs in the next decade and urged countries to engage in work to improve the process.

The meeting was attended by sixty delegates from various Missions to the United Nations, and included six Ambassadors representing all five regions.

06th March 2011, Male;The New Ambassador of Iraq accredited to the Maldives Kahtan Taha Khalaf has presented his letter of credence to President Mohamed Nasheed today at a ceremony held at the President's Office.

Meeting the new Ambassador, the President said the Maldives and Iraq, although under difference circumstances, have embraced democracy and were currently working to strengthen democracy.

The President said the Maldives wished to engage with Iraq more in the area of consolidating democracy, and he was looking forward to working with Ambassador Khalaf. Briefing the Ambassador on the Maldives' journey to a democracy, the President said the Maldives took pride in being a Muslim country with a thriving democracy.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Khalaf conveyed the compliments of the Iraqi President to President Nasheed and updated the President on the situation in Iraq.

He said the new Iraq wanted to enhance its cooperation with Asia and other Muslim countries and assured the President that he would work to further strengthen the relations between the Maldives and Iraq under his tenure.

End.

New York - Speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) at the Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for the 19th session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-19), the Maldives highlighted the disadvantages of SIDS with respect to trade and transport in a global economy and requested more support in this area from the international community.

The Maldives emphasized the importance of transport and communication to Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as lifelines of their economies, and described the challenges faced due to high costs of transportation that arise from their isolation and small size. This renders the economies of scale associated with international shipping and trade impossible to grasp, causing a barrier to economic development.

The Maldives pointed out that though SIDS have made progress in overcoming these issues, they are still at a disadvantage, and called for policies to be put in place to protect them from external factors that aggravate the situation. A request was made of the international community to assist with market access preferences for SIDS' exports, grants or concessionary financing for transport, information technologies and communication equipment, help in accelerating implementation of renewable energy, as well as sustainable tourism and cultural initiatives.

The Maldives stressed the urgent nature of the matter, and expressed AOSIS' hopes that initiatives for timely, adequate, and sustained international support for transport services, infrastructure, and climate proofing for SIDS would be reflected in the Outcome Document.

The statement was delivered by Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations, New York. The Intergovernmental Preparatory Meeting for CSD-19 is ongoing from Monday, February 28 to Friday, March 4, 2011.

2 March 2011, Geneva;The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mr Ahmed Naseem, today officially opened the new offices of the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the UN in Geneva and to the WTO. The new offices, which are situated next to the Palais des Nations (UN) are part of a new Commonwealth facility for Small States.

The Maldives Permanent Mission's previous premises were opened in 2006. The new office is larger, more spacious and boasts better facilities and equipment. This is crucial considering that the mandate of the Mission has increased considerably over recent years - especially since the Maldives became a member of the Human Rights Council. However, at the same time, the new offices cost less - important during a time of Government austerity. The Maldives Government has also negotiated with the Swiss Government an agreement to subsidise the running costs of the Mission.

Aside from this positive cost-benefit analysis, the Maldives also took the decision to move into the new premises in order to support Commonwealth efforts to enhance the accessibility of the UN in Geneva to more of the world's Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Many SIDS cannot afford a stand-alone office in Geneva - the most active centre of multilateral diplomacy in the world.

Attending the official opening alongside the State Minister and the Maldives' Permanent Representative in Geneva, HE Ms Iruthisham Adam, were H.E. Mr Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

State Minister Naseem used his short speech to welcome the strengthening of the Commonwealth's presence in Geneva, especially in the field of human rights. He said that the Maldives hopes the new facility will allow more and more SIDS to open a presence in Geneva. He also expressed his hope that SIDS voice will be strengthened in the Human Rights Council and WTO and provides the opportunity for these small states to work closely together and create an influential grouping.

In his word of thanks, the Commonwealth SG said: "The Commonwealth understands the need to recognise opportunities to evolve the partnerships between member States in the 21st century. Innovative technologies, fresh ideas and cross-cutting partnerships are vital to this evolution. The opening of this office is an exciting opportunity to show that small Commonwealth States can flourish and develop together ensuring that States, such as Maldives, do not get marginalised in the international system."

02nd March 2011, Male';The New Ambassador of Czech Republic accredited to the Maldives, Miloslav Stasek has presented his letter of credence to President Mohamed Nasheed today.

At the ceremony held at the President's Office to present the credentials, the President congratulated Ambassador Starsek.

Meeting the new Ambassador afterwards, the President and the Ambassador discussed increasing cooperation between the Maldives and the Czech Republic in the areas trade, tourism, solar energy and investments in transport industry.

The meeting was attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Advisor on Political Affairs Mohamed Shihab and National Security Advisor Amin Faisal.

28 February 2011, Geneva;The Maldives' Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem today addressed assembled leaders at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and used the opportunity to welcome the spread of democracy across the Muslim world and to praise the bravery and determination of protesters in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere "for asserting their fundamental rights and freedoms, and for believing in a better future".

Speaking during the Council's High Level Segment alongside US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, and other senior representatives of the world's governments, State Minister Naseem offered the Maldives' "steadfast support to our democratic friends in the New Tunisia and the New Egypt, and calls on the international community, led by the United Nations, to assist both countries at this crucial moment in there and indeed our common history".

"I have no doubt that from the pebbles dropped in the southern Mediterranean over the past two months; the ripples of democracy will continue to spread. The Muslim Awakening heralds the end of power of the few for the few, and the beginning of a new era founded upon universal values, individual freedom, and mutual respect and tolerance. The Awakening also puts to bed, once and for all, the notion that Islam is somehow inherently incompatible with human rights and democracy. Millions of Muslims around the world already enjoy democratic government, and, as we have seen, those who don't are willing to sacrifice all in order to assert their political rights".

State Minister Naseem went on to contrast developments in Tunisia and Egypt with those in Libya. "It is with deep regret that we watch as the largely peaceful progress of the Muslim Awakening is brutally checked at the gates of Tripoli".

"The Maldives strongly condemns the violence unleashed by the Libyan authorities against their own people - people who are merely trying to assert their universal rights. It is clear that gross and systematic violations of human rights have been perpetrated in Libya and that these in all likelihood constitute crimes against humanity".

The Minister declared that: "The Maldives, a fellow Muslim country which itself recently began the transition to democracy, refuses to remain silent as hundreds of our Muslim brothers and sisters are abused and killed". This is why the Maldives had helped lead international efforts in the UN Human Rights Council to protect innocent civilians in Libya and to hold those responsible for human rights violation to account. These efforts led, last week, to a strong UN Human Rights Council resolution against the Libyan authorities.

The Maldives' State Minister also used his address to call for a radical shake-up of the international human rights machinery to ensure that in future, the rights of people in places like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Iran, and Myanmar are better protected.

Citing a founding premise of constitutional and human rights law - that there is no right without remedy - the State Minister asked assembled delegates to reflect on whether "the Human Rights Council and the Treaty Body system are capable, as things stand today, of enforcing international human rights law, of securing accountability for human rights violations, and of providing redress to the victims? In other words, are they able to offer remedy?"

If not, then Minister Naseem proposed that the Council is duty-bound to consider ways to strengthen accountability and redress, including by revisiting the idea of establishing an International Court of Human Rights - an idea first mooting in 1947 as the UN's founding fathers built the international human rights system.

Repeating an argument used by the founding fathers over 60 years ago, Minister Naseem reminded delegates that: "Either a full and effective observance of human rights is sought, or it is not. If it is sought, then the consequences of this principle must be admitted and the idea of compulsory judicial decisions must be accepted".

"Strengthening the human rights system is important, not only for the people in this room but also, more importantly, for the people on the streets today in Tripoli, for their neighbours in Tunisia and Egypt, and for all of us who have lived under oppressive regimes and have struggled to assert our freedoms" concluded the Minister.

ENDS

08 February 2011, Male': Foreign Ministers of Eight Member States of SAARC yesterday concluded the Thirty-Third Session of the Council of Ministers in Thimphu, Bhutan. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E Ahmed Naseem, Special Envoy for South Asia Ms. Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed and Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mohamed Naseer represented the Maldives in this Meeting.

Addressing the meeting, H.E Mr. Ahmed Naseem said that among the priority areas SAARC should focus on are Climate Change, Regional Connectivity and Disaster Response Mechanism and increasing intra-regional trade under SAFTA. He stressed upon establishment of Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service and its eventual linkage to SAARC Multimodal Transport Network.

He called for a comprehensive review of on-the-ground effectiveness of SAARC. He said that Maldives will submit a proposal on strengthening of the SAARC Secretariat and rationalization of SAARC mechanism and activities.

This meeting also endorsed the government of Maldives nomination of H.E Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed for the post of the next Secretary General of SAARC, she will assume her responsibilities on first of March 2011. The Government of Maldives also extended its appreciation to the outgoing Secretary General of the SAARC H.E Dr. Sheel Kant Sharma for his exemplary service to SAARC during his tenure.

The delegation of the Maldives also informed the council about the preparation of the Seventeenth SAARC Summit in the South Province of the Maldives.

On the margins of the meeting, the State Minister held bilateral meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, H.E Mr. Lyonpo Kangdu Wangchuck, the Minister of External Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Professor G.L. Peiris and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul.

END