We would like to thank the international community for their concern in the case of the 15 year old girl who recently received a flogging sentence here in the Maldives. Currently the case is being appealed and I have urged the judiciary to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. This case should never have been presented in the courts and we are working to ensure that cases like this are never brought to the courts again.
The young woman remains under the care of the Ministry of Gender, Family and Human Rights, my Attorney General has met with her and she is receiving the appropriate physical and psychological counseling at this time. We appreciate the international compassion for this young woman and ask for your patience as this case moves through the judicial system. As both the President and as a father, I am fully committed to protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls in the Maldives and throughout the world and share your deep concern about this young victim.
The Maldives is a young democracy working to balance our religious faith with our new democratic values. I ask that you support us and join us as partners as we work through this challenge. A boycott on tourism will only serve as a setback to the economic opportunities and rights we are all striving to uphold for women, girls and the hardworking Maldivian people in general.