President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that freedom of expression should not be used as an excuse to insult religion, incite hatred or provoke communal violence. The President made this remark while delivering his statement at the General Debate of the Sixty-Seventh Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Referring to the recent anti-Islamic video demeaning Prophet Muhammad S.A.W, the President said that the Maldives strongly condemned this low-level, blasphemous act, which provoked demonstrations around the world.
The President said that the Maldives also condemned the attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, and conveyed deepest condolences to the United States Government and the bereaved families, on behalf of the Maldivian people.
Noting that Climate change remains the most important and complex developmental challenge that small states face, President Waheed highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals agreed among world leaders.
“We believe that these goals would further strengthen social, economic, and the environmental well-being of nations. The 2015 development agenda should be one that recognises the particular characteristics and needs of small states. It should support the creation of a stronger international architecture to achieve a sustainable future for all”, said the President.
The President further reiterated the Maldives’ call for a binding agreement immediately, to reduce global carbon emissions. The President also called upon the carbon emitting countries to develop and utilise clean and renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint.
