Extensive talks on maintaining Islamic identity: Dr Jameel

In an interview with Haveeru today Dr Jameel said that he had conveyed to the council that Islam is the basis of the Maldivian constitution and that the council clearly understood him.

“We held discussions for six consecutive hours but held onto the same position. We stressed that human rights had been best explained under Islam and that Maldives is one of the countries with the best human rights records. We made it very clear that the basis of the Maldivian constitution is Islam and that we cannot deny rights in conflict with Islamic Sharia,” he said.

The Maldivian delegation was quizzed by the council on flanking, denial of citizenship to non-Muslims and other problems.

He said that UN’s Human Rights Council has been informed that penalties under Islamic Sharia cannot be withheld.

Dr Jameel said that on reviewing the conventions signed by the Maldives it came to light that former President Nasheed’s government had not placed reservations on certain clauses conflicting with Islamic Sharia resulting in confused perceptions by the international community.

“But when explained it to them they accepted it as well. And some members in the committee from Muslim nations also agreed that it is how matters are stated under the Islamic Sharia,” Dr Jameel said.

Achievements made by the Maldives in line with the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was discussed extensively during the meeting as well.

Dr Jameel said that the main reason why the Maldives has not been able to attain targets under the convention is because of the attitude of former President Nasheed’s administration detailing that under his administration politicians had been arrested in violation of the constitution, the Judiciary had been obstructed and unconstitutional orders issued.

State Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon also represented the Maldives during the meeting along with Dr Jameel.