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UN sea tribunal hears Mauritius & Maldives boundary dispute

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2 years ago

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HAMBURG, Germany (CN) — Two Indian Ocean island nations faced off Monday before a United Nations maritime tribunal in a territory conflict with broad implications.

Mauritius argued before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea that it, not the Maldives, is the rightful owner of a disputed portion of ocean territory, including the waters around a group of islands claimed by the United Kingdom.

“We are neighboring countries, we share interests and common challenges,” Dheerendra Dabee, the agent for Mauritius, told the nine-judge U.N. panel in his opening statements.

By accepting jurisdiction in the case in 2021, the Hamburg, Germany-based court has already effectively ruled the U.K.’s continued possession of the Chagos Islands – a strategically important group of islands that has been partially leased to the United States military – is illegal.

Under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries with ocean borders have control of the waters extending 230 miles from their coast. Mauritius and the Maldives disagree on where the distance should be measured from.

“With the greatest respect to our friends from the Maldives, they are wrong,” lawyer Philippe Sands, arguing on behalf of Mauritius, told the full courtroom. He said that the Maldives’ proposed boundary takes 99% of the disputed area for itself.

In hearings about jurisdiction, the Maldives argued Mauritius had no grounds to bring the complaint because the area in question bordered a U.K. territory. But the court found that “the United Kingdom is not an indispensable party to the present proceedings,” in line with a 2019 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, that the continuing British occupation of the islands was illegal.

The U.K. took possession of Mauritius, which included the Chagos Islands, from France in 1810, using the islands primarily for plantations. A century and a half later, concerns about the expansion of the Soviet Union led the U.S. to look for a location for a military base in the region, ultimately convincing the U.K. to lease it one island, Diego Garcia.

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Freedom of journalism must be practiced within the responsibilities

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24 hours ago

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04/05/2024

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Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Khaleel has underscored the importance of exercising the freedom of press within the responsibilities. He made the remarks while speaking at a programme aired on PSM News.

Commemorating the 7th anniversary of PSM News, Minister Khaleel was invited to the programme, as he played a pivotal role in founding the PSM News Channel during his tenure as the Former Managing Director of the Public Service Media (PSM). The minister worked in the field of journalism and broadcasting for several years, actively engaging in various media positions, including reading and writing news articles.

Highlighted the convenience within the field following the advancements of technology, Minister Khaleel revealed articulated his vision for PSM News to serve as the primary national channel, delivering reliable and timely news coverage across the entirety of the country. In observance of World Press Freedom Day, the minister noted the continuous expansion of press freedom over the years. On this stance, he stressed the significance of media outlets to execute obligations in disseminating news, urging the spread of credible information.

Furthermore, Minister Khaleel revealed the government’s plan to expand and promote journalism. As such, efforts are underway to provide educational opportunities and to strengthen the financial stability of media organisations.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Fourth meeting of High-Level Core Group on withdrawal of Indian troops held in Delhi

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1 day ago

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04/05/2024

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The fourth meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India took place in Indian capital New Delhi on Friday.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry said both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation between nations during Friday’s meeting while discussions were also held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development and defense cooperation.

Additionally, the Foreign Ministry said it was reiterated that the Indian government will replace military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10th, adding both sides expressed satisfaction with the fact that all the logistical arrangements are going ahead as per schedule.

Both sides also agreed that the fifth meeting of the High-Level core Group will be held in Male’ on a mutually agreeable date in June or July.

The High-Level Core Group was formed following a meeting between Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Minister of Islamic Affairs to attend the OIC Summit as the President’s Special Envoy

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2 days ago

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03/05/2024

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The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, will attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which begins tomorrow, as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Special Envoy.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs is scheduled to address the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the President’s Special Envoy, which begins tomorrow, at Banjul, The Gambia. His address will be broadcast on television.

The Islamic Summit of the OIC, held once every three years, brings the leaders of the Islamic nations together to deliberate, take policy decisions, and provide guidance on issues pertaining to the Ummah as outlined in the OIC Charter.

The 15th Session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will take place in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 4–5, 2024, under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.”

Source(s): Presidents Office

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