Politics
Maldives hires US lobbyist Podesta Group for US$300,000
The government of Maldives has hired Washington’s most prominent lobbyist firm Podesta Group for a sum of US$300,000 to advocate on its behalf amidst calls for sanctions on government officials for human rights violations.
27 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Maldives accepts UPR recommendations on judicial reform
The judiciary came under fire during the Maldives’ Universal Periodic Review in May over “politicisation,” inadequate qualification of judges, and lack of conformity to international fair trial standards as well as the Supreme Court’s contempt of court cases against the Elections Commission and Human Rights Commission of Maldives.
26 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Lawyers defend call for targeted sanctions to secure Nasheed’s release
Reiterating calls for targeted sanctions against Maldivian government officials if Nasheed is not released, the opposition leader’s international lawyers Amal Clooney, Jared Genser, and Ben Emmerson said his case is “emblematic of a broader, brutal crackdown on democracy and human rights involving not only the former president, but also large parts of the population.”
25 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
‘We worry for his safety’: Nasheed’s daughter at UN Human Rights Council
“My father, Mohamed Nasheed, former president of Maldives, was imprisoned by the Maldivian government on fabricated charges of ‘terrorism.’ He is the first democratically elected president of the Maldives. Although I know him as my tenacious and also brilliant father, who has tirelessly risked the majority of his life trying to establish basic human rights in our country,” said Meera Laila Nasheed at the UN Human Rights Council yesterday.
25 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Elections Commission to spend MVR1.6million on democracy celebration
The Elections Commission (EC) will be spending MVR1.6million (US$100,000) on celebrating democracy in northern Haa Alif Hoarafushi in October.
23 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
President Yameen may skip UN general assembly again
Yameen was scheduled to address the UNGA for the first time since his election on October 1. But Ibrahim Muaz Ali, the president’s spokesman, declined to comment if Yameen would be traveling to the US after his ongoing trip to Saudi Arabia.
23 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Maldives marks 50 years of UN membership
On its 50th anniversary of membership with the UN, the Maldivian government defended its rights record, while the opposition called on the government to abide by the UN charter.
22 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Chairman of state broadcaster now heads ruling party TV station, news website
Manik, who chairs the state’s Public Service Media (PSM) board, was appointed as the chief operating officer of PPM’s Channel 13 in August. He has now taken on the role of chief executive officer of Avas, a news website set up by Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
20 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Government complains of UK refusal to meet Cherie Blair
The Maldives has lashed out at the UK foreign office’s alleged refusal to allow Cherie Blair to accompany Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon to a meeting in London.
19 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
PG takes dispute over Nasheed’s terrorism conviction to Supreme Court
The Prosecutor General said the High Court had clearly misapplied the law in rejecting an appeal filed to determine the credibility of a rapid criminal court trial against former President Mohamed Nasheed.
19 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Government blames Nasheed for delay in MRI scan
A home ministry spokesman said the doctor had recommended Nasheed rest in a stress free environment and undergo physiotherapy and daily swims before obtaining the MRI. “But President Nasheed has opted not to swim daily. This is why we have not facilitated a scan for him,” he said.
17 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
High Court Judge to retire
“I am retiring because my doctors have advised me to stop working in such a stressful and busy environment,” Shareef said. His retirement will come into effect on October 1.
17 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Yameen deflects criticism over slow progress in fulfilling sports pledges
President Abdulla Yameen has blamed slow progress in the construction of sports stadiums and mosques on an alleged lack of construction companies in the Maldives.
16 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Opposition slams foreign minister’s gripe of ‘global spotlight’ hampering democracy
MPs of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have slammed Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon’s claim that the global spotlight on the Maldives is hampering the growth of nascent democratic institutions.
16 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Cherie Blair speaks out against sanctions on the Maldives
Blair said sanctions must not be used over the imprisonment of a single individual, former President Mohamed Nasheed. In response, his lawyers said they will pursue targeted sanctions against individual abusers because of the numerous political prisoners in the Maldives.
16 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Government will not bow to foreign pressure, declares President Yameen
Following renewed calls by the UN human rights chief and the UK for former President Nasheed’s release, Yameen said there are “things I will not do no matter how much pressure” is brought to bear on the government, insisting that releasing imprisoned opposition politicians would be unlawful as they were sentenced following independent judicial processes.
16 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Supreme Court’s latest writ ‘compromises independence of watchdog bodies’
A Supreme Court writ ordering the Attorney General’s (AG) Office to represent all state offices, including independent institutions, has caused concern, with lawyers saying the writ contravenes the constitution and compromises the independence of independent institutions.
16 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Ex-defence minister Nazim authorised to seek medical care in India
The government has granted jailed former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim permission to seek medical treatment abroad. He has been authorized to leave the Maldives for seven days.
15 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Court rejects ex-defence minister’s request for medical treatment
The civil court has rejected a request by jailed ex Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim for medical treatment abroad and a transfer to house arrest. It claims it has no jurisdiction over the matter.
14 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Government criticises UN rights chief over ‘inappropriate’ calls for Nasheed’s release
“To seek the release of an individual purely on the basis of his political standing and having [no] regard to the allegations against him is inappropriate, and clearly seeks to circumvent the rule of law,” the foreign ministry said after Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain urged the government to release the former president “given the deeply tainted nature of [his] case.”
14 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
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