JP leader supports Maldives' UNGA statement, calls to remove veto

Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim has on Saturday, supported the Maldives government's recent statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)'s 78th session meeting, calling out to annul the power of veto at the UN Security Council.

The Maldivian government made this statement owing to the recent failure at the UN Security Council to reach a peaceful accord over Israel-Palestine conflict.

The statement, on behalf of the Maldives government, was made by the Minister of Housing, Land and Urban Development Dr. Ali Haidar.

While commending Dr. Haidar for making the brave statement on behalf of the Maldives state and its citizens, Qasim Ibrahim said on X, the minister's statement has presented to light the continued failures of UN Security Council owing to the veto power of a single nation with regards to the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.

He also criticized the countries with the veto power, claiming they were doing more harm than good, and worked only in their best interests without any regards to the international community's pleas, especially regarding Israel's continued inhuman treatment against the Palestinian people.

Countries with the veto power at the Security Council include the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China.

Since October 07th, USA has been blocking any efforts made at the Security Council to launch humanitarian efforts to war-torn Gaza with its veto power.

"I support Maldivian government's call to say no to veto for the sake of justice, equality, unity and peace," Qasim said.

The JP leader also said that due to the five countries holding veto power, UN Security Council's permanent member states have been challenged in pushing sound policies for a collective global peace accord. He emphasized the need to remove the power of veto from the countries, to ensure stronger and more successful contribution by the Security Council in the future.

Qasim further praised President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the government for representing the Maldives at the UNGA in accordance with the current times and circumstances.

In his speech at the UNGA meeting, Minister Haidar said just one out of the 193 members of the United Nations, defied the outcry for justice, recognition, and self-determination of the Palestinian people.

"With that one vote, the United Nations Security Council has yet again failed," he said.

He further said the Security Council cannot feign ignorance, and claim to be unaware of the situation on the Palestinian ground right now. 

"With that veto, the Security Council has failed to stop Israel's ongoing genocide. As we speak, Israel is carrying out its mass killings in Palestine. Its brutal, barbaric and horrific actions are being etched into history as witnessed in real time," the minister said.

The minister criticized the UN Security Council for its inaction that has lead to Israel's continued atrocities becoming normalized, and urged it was now the right time for the UNGA to "say no to veto".

Israel has continued to kill Palestinian civilians purporting its campaign was to rid of Hamas, a resistance organization based in Palestine. Since October 07th, the ongoing killings by Israel armed forces have claimed more than 34,600 innocent civilian lives of Palestine so far.