4 July 2015, Geneva, Switzerland
The Maldives has voted in favour of the resolution on ‘ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem which was adopted by the Human Rights Council yesterday.
The resolution was tabled by Pakistan, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 41 in favor, 1 against with 5 abstentions. The United States was the only country which voted against the resolution and Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Paraguay and Macedonia abstained on the resolution.
In a statement delivered on 29 June 2015, at the interactive dialogue with the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict, the Maldives had called on Israel to start respecting international human rights and humanitarian law. The Maldives also called on the International Criminal Court to investigate urgently and afford redress to the people of Palestine and called on prompt action to be taken against Israel and its leaders.
The Maldives has a long-standing and strong position on Palestine, calling for a two-state solution. At the Human Rights Council, the Maldives reiterated its position that as long as the occupation on Palestinian territories continue, Agenda Item 7 at the Council should remain.
At the council session which concluded yesterday the Maldives also voted in favor of the resolution on the “grave and deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic”. The resolution was adopted by 29 votes in favor, 6 against, with 12 abstentions.
In a statement delivered at the interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, the Maldives had stated that international community should bear responsibility for the innocent lives lost in the Syrian war.
ENDS