All States have a duty to uphold democratic principles and Canada is no exception to that rule، says Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon.
On a statement released on the Foreign Ministry’s website، Minister Dunya highlighted that the Canadian ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ declared that the Canadian Government had committed “cultural genocide” against its own people.
“Selective application of such principles is a highly hypocritical approach to adopt.”
Foreign Minister Dunya further said that Canada should address the cultural genocide it is alleged to have committed against native Canadians before trying to teach other nations about values of democratic principles and human rights.
The Minister made the remarks in response to the statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Development of Canada today.
Canada’s own Truth and Reconciliation Commission issued its report last month which declared that the Canadian Government had committed “cultural genocide” against its own people.
Meanwhile، Canadian Government had requested Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to include Maldives in its formal agenda.
On an official statement released yesterday، Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson said he fully supports the demonstration organized by the main opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with Adhaalath Party (AP) on June 12، Friday.
The statement further urged the Commonwealth to adopt a resolution demanding an unconditional release of former President Mohamed Nasheed، who has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges of ‘kidnapping’ criminal court chief justice Abdulla ‘Gaazee’ Mohamed in 2012، during Nasheed’s administration.
Maldives was last put on CMAG agenda during President Mohamed Waheed’s term، following the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed، which has been dubbed by the opposition as a coup d’état.
Several countries have requested Commonwealth to put Maldives on its formal agenda following the imprisoning of former President Mohamed Nasheed in March.
However Maldives was not put on CMAG agenda، whereas Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon slammed the opposition’s allegations and the criticism by foreign countries saying ‘Commonwealth does not want to go through the same experience – it was a bitter experience’.
A country is put on the formal agenda of CMAG to resolve issues pertaining to the deteriorating human rights and political situation in a said country.
The country may face suspension from Commonwealth meetings، as well as، appropriate sanctions from the Commonwealth.