President: Human rights of Maldivians my 'uttermost priority'

Protection of human rights in the pathway to a dignified life, and the protection of human rights of Maldivian citizens is my uttermost priority, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking during his tour of A. A. Ukulhas this Monday morning, Solih said that only once a person enjoys contentment over having one’s rights protected and defended does one learn not to violate the rights of others and comingle peacefully.

“And if human rights are diminished, even a little, we need to advocate for it and raise our voices,” said Solih, declaring that human rights of Maldivian citizens were his uttermost priority.

“The biggest priority in front of me is the human rights of citizens,” said Solih.

He said that the Maldivian people had fought hard to determine their rights the past five years.

“Constitutional rights of citizens were violated the past five years. Freedom of gathering and freedom of expression was constricted. Freedom of press was eliminated,” said Solih, pledging the current administration will not step on the rights of citizens.

He said he will remain committed to defending the rights of Maldivian citizens until the last day of his presidency.

“Violation of the rights of even one, is a danger to the rights of all,” said Solih.

“The true independence of any nation comes from the freedom of its people. Sovereignty of human rights needs to prevail at all cost,” said Solih, reiterating his commitment to defending human rights.

Solih said that infringing on human rights will lead to disharmony of the whole system, and that only through determining the human rights of Maldivian citizens can “the Maldives of our dreams and hopes exist.”

“The Freedom House has declared Maldives does not meet the international standard for democracy. It made its decision based on lack of protection of human rights of Maldivian citizens,” said Solih.

He also noted Maldives has been falling on the Reporters Without Borders Index since 2012. And said freedom of press was ‘poisoned’ during the previous administration.

Solih said he assured the press as well as the general public it will have the freedom to criticize his administration without any fear of retribution.

“In Sha Allah, when I make my speech on this date next year, I will speak of progress by Maldives on the press freedom index,” said Solih, pledging to improve democracy in Maldives and improve the status of Maldives on the Freedom House Index and Reporters Without Borders Index during his administration.

Solih made the speech on occassion of the 70th Human Rights Day being observed this Monday.