President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has denounced the failure of the United Nations Security Council on taking decisive measures to put an end to the suffering in Gaza, stating that the veto not only failed to demand a ceasefire, but it is enabling potential war crimes and has now made millions across the world question the value of humanity and the United Nations. This bold statement was made in his message, which was delivered at the 45th Plenary Meeting of the tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly held in New York.
On the President’s behalf, Dr. Ibrahim Zuhuree, the Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Maldives to the United Nations, conveyed this powerful message. Dr. Muizzu underscored the primary purpose of the United Nations, established 78 years ago to prevent a recurrence of the atrocities witnessed during the Second World War. He highlighted that the United Nations Security Council was entrusted with ensuring and upholding international peace and security.
The President reiterated the Maldives' plea to the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. Dr. Muizzu condemned Israel's occupation and apartheid-like policies, asserting that Palestinians have endured suffering long before October 7, 2023. He decried the double standards in human rights enforcement and urged the General Assembly to exert increased pressure on all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law, particularly international humanitarian law, with a specific emphasis on the protection of civilians.
President Dr. Muizzu additionally called for heightened international pressure on the Israeli government to halt the expansion of illegal settlements and the economic isolation of Palestinians. The emergency session, initiated at the behest of Egypt and Mauritania under the UN General Assembly Resolution 377, "Uniting for Peace," addressed the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas. The Maldives, a co-sponsor of the resolution, expressed grave concern over the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza across various United Nations forums, including the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and Security Council.
Reaffirming unwavering solidarity, the Government and the people of the Maldives stand firmly with the people of Palestine. They advocate for the inalienable right to self-determination, calling for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.