The Government of Maldives has stated that, the joint statement led by United Kingdom at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is tantamount to a small nation being targeted by a large one.
In a right of reply delivered by Ambassador Hala Hameed following UK's statement, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, the Maldives noted that it is "unwarranted and unconstructive, misrepresenting the reality in the Maldives and unduly attempting to affect domestic politics in the country".
In the statement, the Maldives further noted that guaranteeing human rights requires constant vigilance and effort, with multiple challenges for a small country with limited resources like the Maldives. The Maldives also noted some human rights violations and areas lacking in human rights promotion and protection by the initiator, United Kingdom. This includes lack of addressing issues for hate crime, closing of space for civil society, lack of freedom of expression and association.
Most importantly, the UN has noted that it is "imperative that the same standards on civil society space that the Government calls for internationally are implemented domestically." The statement made by the UK focused on the murder of blogger and social media activist Yameen Rasheed.
In the response made by the Government of Maldives, it briefed on the developments made in the investigation. In the statement, the Maldives also noted that the Government's efforts to consolidate democracy and ensure a safe space for democratic congress in line with our international obligations are ignored or mischaracterized.
The Maldives has at the highest level, strongly condemned the murder and committed full support for the investigation.