United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres today urged the government of the Maldives to lift the state of emergency and guarantee safety for its citizens, "including members of the judiciary."

The appeal comes after President Abdullah Yameen of the Maldives declared a state of emergency and his security forces stormed the Supreme Court. The court's chief justice and another judge were also arrested.

Guterres has "urged” the Maldivian government "to uphold the constitution and rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible, and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary," a statement from his spokesman Stephane Dujarric read.

The UN chief is "seriously concerned about the unfolding situation in the Maldives, in particular the declaration of a state of emergency and the entry of security forces into the Supreme Court premises," the statement said.

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Maldives

The Secretary-General is seriously concerned about the unfolding situation in the Maldives, in particular the declaration of a state of emergency and the entry of security forces into the Supreme Court premises.

The Secretary-General urges the Government of the Maldives to uphold the constitution and rule of law, lift the state of emergency as soon as possible, and take all measures to ensure the safety and security of the people in the country, including members of the judiciary.

Stephane Dujarric
Spokesman for the Secretary-General
6 February 2018