Row over use of UN emblem in opposition protest

The United Nations country office in the Maldives has scolded the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party for “misusing” the UN emblem during a protest this weekend.

The MDP had printed the blue emblem on t-shirts and banners urging President Abdulla Yameen to release former President Mohamed Nasheed as recommended by a UN human rights panel in September.

The UN in Maldives in a tweet on Tuesday said impartiality is a key UN principle, and reminded political parties to refrain from using the logo.

#Impartiality is a key #UN principle, and we remind all political parties in #Maldives to refrain from misusing #UN logo in the future.

— UN in the Maldives (@UNMaldives) December 1, 2015

It`s been brought to our attention #UN logo was misused during recent protests. Pls refer to usage guidelines: https://t.co/90nozeUaiS

— UN in the Maldives (@UNMaldives) December 1, 2015

The tweet referred to a guideline published in 2013 on the use of the UN emblem.

“According to UN guidelines, a written authorization is required for any outside party to be able to use the logo. No such authorization has been obtained by any party,” a UN official told The Maldives Independent.

When asked for a comment, the MDP said it had followed all guidelines, and said a statement would be issued on the matter later.

The government has rejected the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s opinion on Nasheed’s imprisonment as flawed.

The WGAD had found Nasheed’s jailing on a terrorism charge illegal and arbitrary.