3 February 2018 – Following the Maldives’ Supreme Court decision ordering the release of convicted opposition leaders and the reinstatement of 12 parliamentarians, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed the world body’s continued readiness to facilitate all-party talks in finding a solution to the Indian Ocean nation’s political stalemate.
“The Secretary-General takes note of the important ruling by the Supreme Court” and calls on the Government to respect it, said a statement issued overnight by his Spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his belief in finding a solution to the political stalemate in the Maldives through all-party talks, which the United Nations continues to stand ready to facilitate,” the statement added.
On Friday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also urged the Government of the Maldives to fully respect the Supreme Court decision, which also overturned the conviction of former President Mohamed Nasheed and ordered to retry his case.
“We are concerned by what appears to be an initial heavy-handed reaction by security forces in the capital Malé against people celebrating the Court’s decision,” Spokesperson Rupert Colville told reporters at a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, urging them to show understanding and restraint, and to act in full accordance with international laws and standards governing the policing of protests and other forms of public assembly.
“We also urge all those celebrating, or protesting, to do so in a peaceful fashion,” he added.
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