If compelled I am even ready to investigate human rights situation in Maldives: Dr. Shaheed

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran has said if compelled he is even ready to investigate the human rights situation in Maldives.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Dr. Shaheed said that the investigations of Human Rights Rapporteur are not limited to only one country or place.

“I am not aware of any Human Right violations in Maldives that the UN has pointed out. Nor do I know of any such cases of human rights violations filed in the UN. And if there is such a case and if I am compelled to investigate the matter than I am ready for that too. I have always been an advocate for human rights. Even the previous regime will know this of me. And the documents which prove this is evident and apparent,” he said.

Dr. Shaheed said that he will resign from all of his political posts in the government before taking on the role of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran.

Dr. Shaheed said that Special Rapporteur is a title given to individuals working on behalf of the United Nations within the scope of “Special Procedures” mechanisms who bear a specific mandate from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the world’s preeminent institution mandated to promote and protect human rights around the world, last week appointed Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran.

The position is one of the most important and high-profile human rights posts in the UN system. The 47 Member States of the Council unanimously endorsed the appointment of Dr. Shaheed after he was selected from a list of candidates by the President of the Council.

However, the Human Rights Committee of the Iranian parliament has decided to take measures to prohibit the entry of the newly appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur on Iran, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed.

President of the Adhaalath Party (AP) Imran Abdullah said that this is the outcome of Dr. Shaheed playing a major role in renewing the Maldives relations with the State of Israel. He said that Iran is fully aware of this and that it is also questionable that America created this post of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Iran and granting it to Dr. Shaheed.