9th August 2011, Male; The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Ahmed Naseem, today made the following statement:
"The indiscriminate killing of innocent Muslim men, women and children by the Syrian State security forces, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan, is completely unacceptable to the Maldives. The Maldives, like many other peace-loving Muslim nations as well as the wider international community, is deeply disturbed by the State-sponsored violence being perpetrated against civilians in Syria, violence which represents a serious violation of Islamic values, as well as of international human rights and humanitarian law. The fact that such violence is increasing as we enter the Holy Month of Ramadan, a period of devotion and compassion, makes the actions of the Syrian authorities even more unacceptable".
"The Maldives demands that the Syrian authorities immediately cease all violence against civilians, and to begin a serious process of democratic and human rights reform. The time for promises is over - it is now time for action. That means the Government must immediately stop all violations of human rights, including arbitrary killings, arbitrary detention, disappearance and torture; and must immediately allow the full enjoyment of all core human rights including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. It also means that stated commitments of reform - which the Maldives has welcomed in previous statements - must be translated into real and urgent change, including free and fair multiparty elections".
"Syria must also fully comply with UN Human Rights Council resolution S-16/1 of 29 April 2009. We note that Syria is yet to comply with any of the provisions of that resolution including the call to cooperate fully with the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission. The Maldives, which is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, voted in favour of resolution S-16/1 because of our strong commitment to human rights, especially in the Muslim world. We therefore demand that Syria halt all violence and begin a genuine transition to democracy, in line with resolution S-16/1 and Security Council statement S/PRST/2011/16 of 3 August 2011. If Syria does not, then the Human Rights Council must refer back to the matter at its upcoming 18th session".
"The Maldives takes note of, and supports, the recent statements on this matter made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council".
ENDS