29 November 2016, New York; The Maldives has raised concerns regarding the increase in the number of Palestinian children being arrested and detained by Israeli occupying forces, and how Palestinian minors are frequently dealt with disproportionate and deadly force by the Israeli authorities.
In the statement delivered at the General Debate on the question of Palestine, Mr. Ahmed Fazeel, Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives emphasized that lasting peace could not be secured in the region without the prospect of a peaceful future for the children.
The Maldives also condemned the persistent use of administrative detention, movement restrictions and other measures that proceeds to negatively affect the human rights of the Palestinian people on a continuous basis. The increasing Palestinian property demolitions by the Military offensive, and proposed Israeli legislation for confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land were also noted with concern by the Maldives.
Many countries, including the Maldives, welcomed agencies providing emergency humanitarian assistance on the ground, and urged the international community to enhance these efforts. The Maldives reiterated support for the two state solution, recognizing the sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and encouraged the resumption of negotiations for the peace process.
