Mohamed Nasheed quotes

Mohamed Nasheed is a Maldivian politician and environmental activist who served as the President of the Maldives. He is recognized internationally for his efforts to address climate change and promote democracy in his country. He continues to be an influential voice in global environmental policy and Maldivian politics. Here are 21 of his quotes:

...former President Nasheed has been imprisoned without due process. And that is an injustice that must be addressed soon. (Mohamed Nasheed)
Elections should be held only by the elections commission. The efforts by Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim to keep [scandal hit] judge Ali Hameed in the Supreme Court bench are quite clear to me. He is also trying to bribe some members of our party's parliamentary group. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
For us, climate change is real. We are already relocating people from 16 islands affected by rising seas to other areas of our country. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
One time they said it was terrorism, another time they said it was acting against the constitution, another time they said it was alcohol. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
We believe that the only prudent way forward and the solution is for Waheed to resign and the speaker of parliament to take over the government until elections are over. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Even the figure of 40 is quite big for a country the size of the Maldives which has a population of just 3,50,000. Even one Maldivian becoming a terrorist and killing people is enough to shake our society. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
My message to you is continue the protests, continue despite the odds, and eventually, together, we will reach that crucial number, 350. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Do not consider either the security of your personal lives or the transitory happiness of your wives, husbands, children, parents and relatives; for the security of all of your children and their children is in jeopardy. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
In February, India and Pakistan agreed to restart peace talks on all issues. In May, Indian parliamentarians visited Islamabad to advance the cause of peace. In July, Foreign Minister Rabbani Khar visited New Delhi. A month later, MPs from both countries met in India to continue deliberations. In September, Pakistani and Indian railway officials met to help boost connectivity and trade," he said at the eight-member regional summit that opened here in Addu. And in the past few days, Pakistan improved trade links by deciding to grant India the status of Most Favoured Nation. Today, the Pakistani and Indian Prime Ministers met in the lovely setting of the Shangri La in the Maldives. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Over the past few weeks, as the world commemorates Nelson Mandela, an uncomfortable spotlight has been shone on Conservatives who branded the ANC as terrorists in the 1980s,” he says in an article on the UK ConservativeHome website. How will today's crop of Conservative climate refuseniks explain themselves to future generations, in a world made hotter, nasty and poor by global warming? There is nothing Conservative about advocating for the destruction of the climate, and thus all we hold dear. This is not a credible Conservative standpoint: it is reckless and extreme. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
We will work within the legal ambit to ensure that the transition of power takes place through an election. I believe that the judges at the courts played an active role in the coup. I think [the judges] were under the assumption that our government was planning on dismissing all the judges and was working towards replacing them. In fact, some judges have even told me that they thought that this was our plan. The judges thought that we were trying to take over the judiciary. (Mohamed Nasheed)
Well, if I did cooperate with Waheed, this country will go down the drain immediately. The people of this country elected a leader, and that was me. I have been removed forcefully and they want me back. But, I'm saying "Okay, let's have new elections and see who the people want again”. If I step aside, if I join the Rebel Government, the people of this country will lose faith. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Interviewer: Do you think that India should have come out in support of the restoration of democracy in the Maldives in a much stronger way? Are you disappointed with India's response? View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Sanctions imposed can easily be rolled back. But unless they are imposed, President (Abdullah) Yameen will have no incentive to take further action. It is only a question of time before the Maldives witnesses an incident comparable to the tragedy that occurred on the beaches of Tunisia last year. I will definitely go to the Maldives. But only the question is how and when. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
If the UK is not in the European Union, there is no way we could speak to countries such as Estonia. As a former British colony, as a former British protectorate, as someone who can speak English, we would not be able to articulate [our positions] or have a conversation. Of course we can have a conversation with Estonia or any other European government but collective decision with the UK at the forefront helps us. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
I graciously accept defeat. We lost by a very small margin. Democracy is a process. It is up to us to make it work. The MDP has always asked for a government elected by the people. Today is a happy day for the Maldives - we now have an elected government. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
In short, I believe the future is ours to shape. Our economies are booming. Our political influence is growing. And our ability has never been stronger. Our populations are youthful and energetic. Our thinkers, researchers and scientists are globally renowned. Our culture is internationally acclaimed. Our private sector companies are some of the world's largest and most profitable. We can only achieve [these] goals, if we work together... because our success, is dependent on our neighbour's success; economic stagnation in one part of our region, dampens prosperity in another; instability in one member state, causes insecurity for us all. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Over the past two years of my presidency, we have made significant achievements concerning our foreign policy. And yes we are prepared to consider targeted action against individuals if further progress isn't made. Former President Nasheed has been imprisoned without due process. And that is an injustice that must be addressed soon. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Our view is this – whatever India does, our views and principles are not based on our fortunes. We would want to have good relations with India and always argue for an India-first foreign policy. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
Mohamed Nasheed: No, I am not disappointed, because we take the long view. I feel that India will in time understand what is best for India, the Maldives and the Indian Ocean. At present I am not convinced that it has understood this. But to assume that appeasement towards dictators would help bring stability -- it's a tested hypothesis [that it does not]. How far do you appease? What do you achieve out of that? We would expect all countries in the region to be decent and supportive of democratic processes, and India too. View quote
Mohamed Nasheed
India is a huge country but it always listens to us, the smaller countries... I trust democracy far more than any other form of governance. (Mohamed Nasheed)