15 June 2015, Geneva; In response to the oral update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights this morning, the Maldives reiterated its commitment in achieving a sufficient, legally binding climate agreement in the upcoming 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC. The Maldives urged all states to ensure that the negative effects of climate change on the enjoyment of human rights are adequately reflected in this agreement and subsequent outcome documents of the conference.
The Maldives also expressed concern over the grave human rights situation in Palestine. The Maldives called upon Israel to ease the unacceptable suffering of all Palestinians in Gaza, especially women and children, by lifting its illegal blockade of the territory and urged the international community to take stringent measures to compel Israel to abide international law, and to respect the rights of the Palestinian people, including their inalienable rights to self-determination and statehood. Furthermore, the Maldives noted with disappointment that the recently published UN Secretary General’s list of shame of armed groups that commit grave violations of children’s rights during armed conflict, excludes Israel’s defence forces.
Speaking on the developments in Yemen, the Maldives stated that direct peace talks can only be fruitful when both Yemeni parties engage in the UN brokered peace talks without preconditions and in good faith, including by resolving their differences through dialogue and consultations.
The UN High Commissioner’s statement focused on a multitude of issues, including country situations such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine, as well as other wider thematic issues.
ENDS.