The United Nations General Assembly today, with overwhelming support adopted a resolution expressing its grave concern at the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The resolution, which was tabled by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was designed to bring into context a number of issues of concern to the international community. These include the use of heavy weapons by Syrian security forces against civilian populations, the widespread and systematic gross violation of human rights, and concerns over the security of Syria’s biological and chemical weapons stockpiles.
The Government of Maldives is deeply concerned by the failure of the Syrian authorities to protect its own civilian population, and strongly condemns all violence, irrespective of where it comes from, including terrorist acts. It calls on all parties to abide by, and implement immediately Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) and 2043 (2012) to achieve a cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties, and to create an atmosphere conducive to a Syrian-led political process that meets the true aspirations of the Syrian people.
The Government of Maldives regrets the resignation of the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, Mr. Kofi Annan on 2 August 2012, but fully respects his decision to do so. It further calls on the United Nations Security Council, and all stakeholders concerned to explore all available options to reach a political settlement to resolve the current stalemate.
The Maldives has consistently backed international efforts to halt the ongoing violence in Syria and has called on the Syrian Government and the Syrian opposition groups to back the Six-Point Peace Plan, formulated by Mr. Kofi Annan with a view to achieving an immediate ceasefire.
In 2011, the Maldives in the Human Rights Council supported the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry on Syria, and calls on all parties to cooperate with the commission to establish accountability and to combat impunity, in line the Syria’s obligations under International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law.
The Government and the people of the Maldives expresses its profound regret at the significant loss of life suffered by the Syrians, and stands united in its solidarity with the people of Syria. It sincerely hopes for a peaceful, verifiable and implementable solution to the ongoing crisis at the earliest possible opportunity.
