Commonwealth

Minister dispatched to Pakistan as Yameen’s special envoy

Azima Shukoor’s visit comes amidst a lobbying effort by the government to avoid action by the Commonwealth over widely condemned human rights abuses, including the imprisonment of former President Mohamed Nasheed and other opposition leaders.

CONI and the Coup III: The legacy

If there is a particular event which can be pointed to as the beginning of the end of Maldives’ peaceful transition to democracy, the acceptance of the 2012 CONI report as a way forward can be described as such, writes Azra Naseem.

Supreme Court wraps up Nasheed’s terror appeal

The Supreme Court has concluded hearing the state’s appeal of a terror conviction against former President Mohamed Nasheed’s terror conviction. A verdict is expected at a next hearing, but a date has not been set yet.

Yameen mocks calls for reform ahead of all-party talks

President Abdulla Yameen has made it clear that he considers the release of jailed politicians as abuse of his powers, despite international calls to do so as a show of good faith ahead of all-party talks.

Yameen thanks India, Pakistan’s defence of Maldives at Commonwealth

President Abdulla Yameen has thanked India and Pakistan for helping the Maldives avoid action by the Commonwealth over human rights abuses, but has offered no indication his government is prepared to meet calls for reform.

Ministers ‘lied’ on all-party talks to prevent Commonwealth action, says opposition

The opposition has denounced claims by the government that it had waived a condition for the release of jailed leaders and agreed to sit down for all-party talks, branding the move an attempt to fool the Commonwealth ahead of a crucial review of rights abuses today.

CMAG has placed Maldives “under formal consideration,” says Cameron

Cameron, in a statement to the UK parliament on November 30, said he “welcomed the report of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and the decision to put the Maldives under formal consideration and to visit there in early 2016.”

Maldives singled out for scrutiny at Commonwealth summit

The Prime Ministers of UK and Malta highlighted a need for action against the Maldives, but the three-day heads of government summit ended without a public announcement. The government’s promise for reform has stalled CMAG action, sources said.

EU, Commonwealth join chorus of concern over state of emergency

“It is essential that all constitutional fundamental rights and freedoms are immediately restored and that due process of law is respected. A genuine dialogue with all political parties on the future of the country needs to be established,” the European Union said in a statement.

CMAG to work with member states on judicial independence, political freedoms

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met in New York on Friday discussed the undermining of judicial independence and the systematic denial of political space including the detention of political leaders in member states.

PPM MPs slam Commonwealth ‘bullying’ as opposition MPs warn against isolation

President Abdulla Yameen had sought parliament’s counsel on the country’s membership of the Commonwealth following lobbying efforts for an assessment of Maldives’ alleged violations of the organisation’s principles with the imprisonment of opposition politicians, including former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Quitting Commonwealth will be “a huge mistake,” says vice president

“We should never allow the heat of politics to cause long lasting damage to national interests,” vice president Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said ahead of a parliament debate on quitting the Commonwealth today.

President requests Majlis counsel on leaving Commonwealth

PPM MPs held a meeting with President Abdulla Yameen, the attorney general and the tourism minister today after the president requested parliamentary counsel on leaving the Commonwealth. The matter is up for debate at the parliament tomorrow.

Cabinet reassesses Maldives’ membership in Commonwealth as UK welcomes talks

The cabinet has decided to reassess the Maldives’ membership in the Commonwealth following repeated threats to leave the inter-governmental organization. British MPs are meanwhile continuing to urge their government to monitor the situation in the Maldives.

Maldives threatens to leave the Commonwealth, again

The Maldives “will seriously consider its membership at the Commonwealth” if it is placed on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) for a second time in four years, foreign minister Dunya Maumoon has said.

Government sends out letters to international stakeholders with demonstrably false claims

Government invites international experts to observe Nasheed’s appeal hearings

Respect Criminal Court verdict, says President Yameen

Asking Maldives to abide by commitments “not undue interference,” says UK High Commissioner

Foreign Minister Dunya slams Canada, Commonwealth statements on Nasheed prosecution