Statement by United Nations Assistant Secretary-General 

for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco 

at the Conclusion of his Visit to the Maldives

(9-13 February 2012)

The Maldives has undergone sad and dramatic events over the  past days. I was dispatched here by the Secretary-General

who has been monitoring development very closely. My role  was to assess the situation with a view to supporting the

national actors in their search for a way forward. I shall report my findings to the Secretary-General upon my return to New

York.

Since my arrival in Malé on Thursday, I have held discussions with key political actors, representatives of the institutions of

state and civil society to hear different perspectives in relation to these developments.  Throughout, I have emphasized the

need for calm.  Both demonstrators and security forces must exercise utmost restraint. There is a need for sufficient space for

a peaceful solution to the present crisis to take hold. Therefore I call upon all parties to ensure that no incitements to violence

and acts of violence occur. The Maldives cannot afford a descent into violence and protracted instability that would

jeopardize the progress achieved by the country since 2008, and its economic future.

While considerable controversy persists about the events of recent days, all actors I spoke with agreed on the importance of

preserving the democratic gains that have been made. All said they were committed to the constitution, which is widely held

up as a model of reform. There is also a broad consensus on the need to protect human rights and strengthen the rule of law

throughout the Maldives, including the performance of the judiciary.

There is an urgent need for all sides concerned to come to an agreement on forming a government, based on the principle of

inclusiveness and national unity, and reach a consensus on the way forward.   There needs to be a credible and independent

investigation by a national mechanism into the developments of the past weeks, and the events that led up to them. 

As I have emphasized throughout, only the people of the Maldives can find the way forward. There are no external solutions

to internal problems of the kind we have witnessed here.  The United Nations stands ready to support the solutions generated

by the local actors and continue to support strengthening the Human Rights Commission and the Judicial Service

Commission.  I have encouraged the President to continue to reach out to the MDP and vice-versa.  All must work together,

constructively, for the good of the nation.  We appreciate the need for healing and reconciliation in the wake of these