The United Nations General Assembly convened a plenary on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 on the implementation of UNGA resolution A/65/L/60, entitled Suspension of the rights of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the Human Rights Council. The resolution called for full and immediate suspension of Libya from the Human Rights Council, citing gross and systematic violations of human rights, while allowing for a review of the matter as appropriate. The Maldives co-sponsored the resolution, which was adopted by consensus.
The Maldives delivered a statement on the situation, calling for firm and decisive action by the international community against the violations of the rights of innocent citizens, condemning the violence unleashed by Libyan authorities against their own people, and raising the possibility that such actions constitute crimes against humanity. The Maldives also called on the international community to intervene due to the evident disregard of the Libyan dictatorship for its responsibilities toward its people, and invoked the responsibility of the community of nations to protect innocent civilians from harm, to hold Muammar Gaddafi and his allies accountable for their crimes, and to help build a new democratic society in Libya.
As a fellow Muslim state sympathizing with the citizens of Libya, the Maldives commended the General Assembly for its adoption of this resolution, and reiterated the need for continued commitment to resolving the situation on the part of the international community.
The statement was delivered by Ms. Thilmeeza Hussain, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations.
