date_range
Wednesday 24 Apr 2024
LOCAL EDITION
close
LOCAL EDITION
A young boy captured holding the flags of Maldives and Palestine. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim)
The Government of Maldives, during a convening held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, has called for the formation of a sovereign state of Palestine.
The convening was held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of human rights violations by the Zionist forces against the people of Palestine on May 14, 1948, otherwise known as, Nakba Day.
The statement read by Maldives during the convening reiterated the nation’s commitment and unconditional support to the Palestinian people in their pursuit to attain their inalienable national rights, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital and the right to self-determination.
Furthermore, the Maldives condemned the illegal acts of Israel since 1948 which have resulted in mass displacement, ethnic uprooting and the death of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women and children.
Concern was also raised over how these actions continue to hinder the work towards a lasting solution to the conflict as well as the peace and stability in the region.
Maldives also reiterated its call to completely lift the illegal blockade imposed in the Gaza Strip, end all illegal activities in Gaza, and to assist Palestinian people.
The nation, underscoring it to be the collective responsibility of the international community to put an end to these atrocities and correct the longstanding injustice, called on nations to provide vital support for agencies working on the ground to assist Palestinian people.
The convening held on Monday marked the first in history that the United Nations officially commemorated the Nakba. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was also in attendance and delivered the keynote address.
UN General Assembly adopted the resolution on commemorating the 75th anniversary of Nakba last year. Maldives had voted in favor of the resolution which was passed by the votes of 90 member countries.
