UN Delegate calls for political parties to refrain from violence

UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez who arrived in the Maldives last night has called Maldivians to remain patient and refrain from violence in the current situation faced by the country today.

Fernandez arrived in Maldives on a three-day trip as a representative of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to discuss the current political turmoil in the country. He said during an interview with the media at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport last night that it is not easy to hold constructive discussions in the current situation, and that he will encourage political parties in this regard.

“For this purpose, all political party leaders must now exercise patience, refrain from violence and anything that may worsen the situation. Everyone should work peacefully in finding a solution to this problem,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez who had just attended the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, said that political parties in Maldives must find these solutions themselves. The international community cannot find a solution for them.

“The reality is that this needs to be resolved by the political parties in the best interest of the Maldivian people. It’s not something that can be resolved by a foreign body. It’s not a good idea for foreign bodies to interfere with such situations too much,” he said.

He said that details of the current situation will be conveyed to Ban Ki-moon following discussions with the government, political parties, parliament members, Human Rights Commission and civil society. He said that it is not the purpose of his trip to investigate the situation.

“It is the responsibility of the judiciary and parliamentary institutions to investigate this. My responsibility is to understand the situation and inform Ban Ki-moon. That is, what I hear and read in the papers,” Fernandez who is in the Maldives for the first time said.

He said that any country which works within the principles of democracy and human rights will be supported by the United Nations. Thus, Maldives will have UN support.

“UN has supported Maldives before as well. For example, we have cooperated with Maldives in efforts towards achieving the millennium goals,” he said.

He further said that UN is concerned about the safety of former President Nasheed, and that any citizen should be dealt with within the limits of the law. Every person’s rights must be protected as guaranteed by the law.

Subsequent to Nasheed’s resignation, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed hope for an end to the political unrest in the Maldives.