President denies allegations by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has denied the allegations made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay yesterday, whereby she said that the Supreme Court and government are subverting the democratic process in the Maldives.

In a statement issued today, the president said, “I am disappointed by the ill-informed and irresponsible allegations made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, which undermines efforts of Maldives Supreme Court and the Government to strengthen the Rule of Law in the country.

“The government of Maldives rejects the claim that the Supreme Court and the Government are subverting the democratic process. The United Nations must try to better understand the difficulties facing Maldives in their early phase of democracy, and provide support to find solutions rather than issue damaging statements from a distance.”

Pillay’s remarks were also rejected by the Supreme Court yesterday.