Freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to provoke violence: President

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to insult religion, incite hatred and provoke communal violence.

The President said this last night, in his statement at the General Debate of the Sixty-Seventh Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He strongly condemned the recent anti-Islam video demeaning Prophet Muhammad.

“While the video has provoked demonstrations around the world, the Maldives does not believe that violence is the way to respond to such low-level blasphemous acts. The Maldives has also condemned the attacks on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, which took the life of the United States Ambassador to Libya. On behalf of the Maldivian people I express my deepest condolences to the United States Government and the families of the bereaved.”

He expressed hope on behalf of the Maldivian people, to see the day that the Palestinian people will join the United Nations as a full member.

President Waheed highlighted that challenges faced by small island nations due to climate change, and noted the efforts by Maldives to protect the environment.

“The Maldives reiterates its call for a binding agreement to reduce global carbon emissions. The world cannot afford to wait any longer for such an agreement. And we cannot wait any longer.”

The President also urged the Syrian security forces and anti-government armed groups to immediately cease all hostilities and violence.