UN Secretary General calls on Govt. of Maldives to release SC Justices

United Nation’s Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed his concern over the arrest of Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed and the events unfolding in the Maldives.

The UN called for the release of the arrested Justices in a called made by Assistant Secretary-General of the UN for Political Affairs Miroslav Jenca to the Maldives' foreign minister Dr. Mohamed Asim.

In his called Jenca reported the Secretary General’s concerns over the current events, as reported by Deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq. Haq stated that the call focused on the ‘importance of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law, in particular the need to preserve the independence of the judiciary’.

He asked the Maldivian government to take all essential actions to guarantee the security of all people in the country and to resolve the political crisis through all- party talks, which the UN stands ready to facilitate, Haq said.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General also released a statement, attributable to the Secretary General.

‘The Secretary-General is seriously concerned about the unfolding situation in the Maldives, in particular the declaration of a state of emergency and the entry of security forces into the Supreme Court premises. The Secretary-General urges the Government of the Maldives to uphold the constitution and rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible, and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary,’ reads the statement.