Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon has hit back the statements released by foreign governments and organizations regarding the situation in Maldives following the arrest of the former President Mohamed Nasheed.
Minister Dunya on a statement released by the Ministry on Tuesday، has responded to the statements released by the Commonwealth، United Nations and Canada regarding the situation in Maldives.
“I am disappointed by the statements issued by some foreign governments and international organizations، including the Commonwealth and UN.” Minister Dunya said on the statement.
She said the foreign parties are advised to do a basic fact-check before ‘bandwagoning’ on to accusations made by a political party، regarding an on-going legal case، or on a domestic political situation.
Responding to the statement released by the Foreign Minister of Canada، Rob Nicholson، Minister Dunya said the accusations on his statement were based on heresay، and not expected of a Foreign Minister of Canada.
Minister Dunya’s response to the statement issued to Commonwealth said she was unaware that the organization was ‘closely monitoring’ the situation in Maldives as no one in Commonwealth contacted the focal point in the Ministry to inquire regarding the situation in last few days.
“On the contrary، I initiated a phone call to the Secretary General last night in which we exchanged views about issues of mutual concern in the Commonwealth and in the Maldives. I therefore regret the strategic misrepresentation of basic facts in the Secretary General’s statement.”
Minister Dunya further urged to recall the misinterpretation of the situation in Maldives in 2012، which lead to punitive measures by CMAG on Maldives، from which the country emerged after CoNI’s report absolved it. She said ‘the Government is hopeful that Commonwealth will not repeat the same mistakes again’.
In addition، Minister Dunya emphasized that the Government ‘will not take instructions from a foreign government on any issue in governing the country’.
She assured the Government will uphold the spirit of the Constitution and protect the rights of every individual، including those accused of serious criminal offences.
“The Government is elected by، and answerable to، the people of Maldives. I wish to call upon our international partners to recognise the defining principle of the international system، which is to refrain from acts and signals that could undermine the sovereignty of independent States،” Minister Dunya said، concluding her response to the statements released by foreign governments and international organizations.
In addition to Minister Dunya، the Maldivian Ambassador to India، Ahmed Mohamed، speaking with CNN’s Indian Broadcasting Network، has urged India not to intervene in the domestic politics of Maldives.
Meanwhile، EU، Switzerland، Norway، India، America and UK also issued statements، showing their concerns over the situation in Maldives.
(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)