President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the government and the people of the Maldives stand firmly and resolutely with the Palestinian people, and that the Maldives will continue to fight for the full recognition of Palestine as an independent state. The president made the remarks in his general debate statement at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, on September 21.
Addressing the 76th UNGA, President Solih stated despite decades of United Nations efforts, the Palestinian people have yet to see justice. He stated the world continues to bear witness to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people being so wantonly violated, in ever-escalating ways, by Israel. He noted despite the many resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, the rights of Palestine are minimal or non-existent.
Speaking as the head of a small island state who is able to stand in front of the general assembly because the Maldives was recognised as a sovereign nation, President Solih questioned the assembly on what the world has to lose by fully recognising Palestine as an independent state. He pointed out the generations of educated youth around the world are standing up for the rights of the Palestinian people, standing up in protest against the unjust and inhumane treatment of the Palestinian people.
President Solih called on the UN, on behalf of the Maldivian people, to fully recognise the Palestinian State with all the benefits and opportunities that membership confers and to extend the same privileges to the millions of Palestinians to have their individual liberties protected.
Continuing his statement, President Solih also expressed concern regarding the long-term peace and stability of Afghanistan, as a neighbour in the wider South Asian region, calling on them to ensure the safety of the people and the protection and realisation of the rights of women and girls. He urged Afghanistan to demonstrate its commitment to building a peaceful, durable and thriving country by taking steps to form an inclusive and representative government for the people.