hroughout the years, the Maldives has consistently voiced out its position and engaged on the Palestine issue on international platforms, having made statements before the United Nations Security Council and the UNGA Human Rights Council — consistently advocating for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
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On 1 May 2025, the Government of the Maldives appeared before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to present an oral submission in the advisory proceedings on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nation, Other International Organisations, and Third states in, and with regard to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Ever since the Maldives established diplomatic relations with Palestine on 4 April 1982, the country has consistently called for the end of the genocide and independence in the State of Palestine. Throughout the years, the Maldives has consistently voiced out its position and engaged on the Palestine issue on international platforms, having made statements before the United Nations Security Council and the UNGA Human Rights Council — consistently advocating for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
This time around, the Government of the Maldives submitted a written statement to the ICJ on 28 February 2025. The written statement is part of the opportunity given by the United Nations (UN) to states and international organisations to partake in the public hearings of the proceedings and present oral submissions, as part of the resolution which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 19 December 2024; in which it requested ICJ to render an advisory opinion on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the UN, including its agencies and bodies, other international organisations, and third states in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The Attorney General of the Republic of Maldives, Uz. Ahmed Usham represented the Government of the Maldives at the hearing held at the ICJ — highlighting the Maldives’ longstanding advocacy for the people of Palestine, and the need to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
During his statement, Usham expressed grave alarm at Israel’s deliberate steps to dismantle the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and reiterated the Government’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people in the pursuit of their inalienable rights.
Today, I had the honour of addressing the ICJ on behalf of the Maldives, in the advisory proceedings on Israel’s obligations in relation to the presence and activities of the UN and other actors in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. I reaffirmed the Maldives’ longstanding support for the Palestinian people and raised grave concern over Israel’s attempts to dismantle UNRWA.
Advocating for the rights of the people of Palestine in international fora, including active participation in relevant international cases is one of the many ways the Maldives continues to support Palestine. Our commitment goes beyond words, as we continue to take meaningful steps in both action and advocacy for a just and lasting peace.
In addition to the Attorney General, the Maldives was also represented at the hearing by International Lawyers, Ms Amy Sander and Dr Naomi Hart from Essex Court Chambers, members of the Bar of England and Wales. During their statements, the lawyers focused on responding to Israel’s misplaced reliance on security concerns and military necessity in an attempt to evade its international legal obligations, the legal consequences of Israel’s purported withdrawal from the agreement set out in the 1967 Exchange of Letters between Israel and UNRWA.
