UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon pictured with Maldives foreign minister Dr Mohamed Asim at teh sidelines of the 71st  UN General Assembly in New York. PHOTO/UN
Small states such as the Maldives need to build strong institutions in order to strengthen democracy which cannot be achieved if they are put under a constant microscope, Maldives said Saturday.
Foreign minister Dr Mohamed Asim addressing the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday noted that investment in Maldives’ institutions was key to implement its agendas and governance structures to attain the desired result.
“… unless small States are able to build strong institutions, they would not be able to build resilience in the spheres of economy and climate change,” the minister stressed.
Pointing out that the Maldives began its democratisation only a decade ago, Dr Asim said the country’s institutions are adapting based on lessons learnt.
“Institutions need space to form on their own. They need to develop organically, evolving with the needs and priorities of the society,” he said.
“While a healthy amount of scrutiny is necessary and welcomed, institutions cannot build resilience under a constant microscope.”
Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has come under heavy international criticism over the jailing of political opponents, stifling of the media and free speech.
Maldives’ international partners have continued to express grave concern over the continuing and persistent deterioration of human rights, rule of law and democracy in the island nation.
Despite the criticism, the foreign minister assured that the Maldives would remain engaged with the international community.