News

Maldives at ICJ: Israel’s occupation violate international law

Published

3 months ago

27/02/2024

The Maldives government has called out Israel for its gross infringement of international law.

Speaking at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Maldivian Ambassador to Germany, Aishath Shan Shakir said that the support of the Palestinian people in realizing their independence and sovereignty has been a “long-standing cornerstone of the Maldivian foreign policy.”

The Maldives government made clear of its standing at the ICJ’s public hearings seeking views on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories before a non-binding legal opinion is issued.

While speaking at the ICJ hearing, Shakir said the current and dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza right now is sufficient enough for the court to “pronounce its verdict” against the injustices perpretrated against the Palestinian people.

“The only sustainable solution to the conflict is the establishment of a sovereign and independent state of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the Maldivian Ambassador to Germany said.

International lawyers from the Essex Court Chambers, Amy Sanders and Dr. Naomi Hart represented the Maldives at the ICJ who presented their statements regarding the questions raised at the public hearing.

In the statement provided by Sanders, she highlighted on the depravation of water resources to the Palestinian people by the occupying forces of Israel, and the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people which has been violated by Israel through multiple conducts; and as such these conducts have infringed the right to territorial integrity, right not to be subjected to demographic manipulation within the their own territory by a foreign power, the right of the people to pursue its own economic, social and cultural development, and the right to exercise permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

Water supply and facilities providing water to the Palestinian people are fully controlled by Israel, and continues to sell water to Gaza at a controlled manner. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, Israel fully discontinued the supply of water to Palestine.

The Maldives, in its statement at the ICJ claimed Israel’s multiple policies and its treatment of the Palestinian people is characterized as an apartheid, which has been coincided by several other nations.

Earlier in 2023, the Maldives had provided a written statement of the country’s support to the Palestinian people, to ICJ.

The Maldives Attorney General’s Office said participation of the Maldives at the ICJ public hearing would solidify the country’s position as a staunch advocate of humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people, and highlight the Maldives government’s commitment in advocating for freedom and sovereignty of Palestine at an international scale.

The office further viewed this participation would accelerate assistance provided to Palestine, while it would bolster the long-standing bilateral union between the two countries.

The AG Office also argues that the injustice faced by Palestinian people was a major issue for the entire Muslim world, and the Maldives’ commitment to advocate for Palestine’s right to freedom would strengthen the confidence of other Muslim nations towards the Maldives.

The ICJ legal opinion, upon request from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), would pave the way to assisting Palestine and its people achieving sovereignty.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Developmental projects of Maldives progressing substantially

Published

13 hours ago

18/05/2024

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has affirmed that the developmental projects of the Maldives carried out with the assistance of India have been progressing considerably. The remarks were made by the minister during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIIs) Annual Business Summit.

Speaking at the summit, Minister Jaishankar stated that some developmental projects were slightly politically influenced, hindering the progress. However, he assured that the progress of the projects have propelled at a notable rate.

Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer’s official visit to India at the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, discussions were held highlighting the spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and prosperity of the Maldives by extending a budgetary support of USD 50 million to be repaid within a term of one year.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

President reverts land act amendment to parliament

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews