Politics

Dhonis and hashtags for Maldives UN Security Council bid

While the Maldives foreign ministry announced the country’s candidacy back in 2016, a new website, animated video and three hashtags have been launched to support its Security Council campaign.

Ex-PPM councillor facing prison sentence declares support for Yameen

“I have withdrawn the support I gave for President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the political arena since 2008,” declared Zaidul Ameen, who has been in and out of jail since January.

Anti-graft NGO resumes campaign for MP asset declaration

The constitution requires them to annually submit to the parliament’s secretary-general “a statement of all property and monies owned by him, business interests and liabilities” but the documents are not released to the public.

Adeeb refuses injection over fear of assassination plot

Adeeb’s family said the prisons authority’s push to give him the injection ostensibly for a CT scan was “suspicious” because his lawyers were previously tipped off to an alleged plot to assassinate the 35-year-old in custody.

Opposition protest outside Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka

“We are gathered near the embassy in Colombo with about 50 people and five MPs against various human rights violations at home, after taking necessary permissions from the Sri Lankan government,” said MP Mahloof.

MP Faris temporarily moved to house arrest

Maldives defends Saudi Arabia over UN report on killing Yemen children

The Maldives mission in New York claimed that “the allegations levelled against the [Saudi-led] coalition were based not on first-hand observation by the officials of the United Nations, but regrettably, on reports by various other parties, including NGOs.”

Yameen condemns opposition’s ‘anarchist, ruinous ideology’

Accusing the opposition of “advocating the destruction of institutions” and “calling for attacks against the police and military”, Yameen said: “These aren’t characteristics of democracy. Political leaders cannot openly criticise the courts and the judiciary.”

Finance ministry under fire for party funding delay

The Political Parties Act mandates the issue of state funds to parties with members over 10,000 within the first three months of the year.

JP mulls primaries as part of reform efforts

The opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) is mulling the idea of presidential primaries and regional branches as part of reform efforts.

Majlis continues over din of opposition protest

Speaker Maseeh concluded Tuesday’s brief sitting after calling votes on approving new vice presidents for the Civil Service Commission and the Human Rights Commission.

MBC member under fire after Yameen event snaps emerge

Fathimath Zaina, who worked as an aide to First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim before joining the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, was photographed handing out seating arrangements to people at a rally Monday night.

Maldives legal teams ‘decimated’ after mass lawyer suspension, says UN expert

“This alarming mass suspension clearly did not abide by international standards regulating disciplinary proceedings against lawyers and protecting their independence, and I strongly condemn it,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.

Majlis resumes with five-foot wall around embattled speaker

In the face of vociferous chants for his resignation, Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed concluded the sitting in less than 15 minutes after calling a vote on minor changes to the Majlis standing orders.

Gasim’s family asks for medical leave extension

Gasim’s son Ibrahim Siyad Gasim wrote to the Maldives Correctional Service saying doctors had advised him to stay in Singapore until October 28 for tests.

Raajje TV to appeal MBC fine, sue police

Raajje TV has plans to appeal the Maldives Broadcasting Commission decision to fine the station, also saying Monday it is suing the police for negligence over a 2013 arson attack that destroyed its studio.

Maldives issues sovereign guarantee for US$370 million Chinese loan

The sovereign guarantee was issued for a US$370 million (MVR5.6 billion) loan for the development of 7,000 housing units in the capital’s suburb Hulhumalé.

Maldives hits out at ‘baseless’ European Parliament allegations

The Maldives has lashed out at the European Parliament after it called for individual targeted sanctions over “the deteriorating political and human rights situation in the Maldives and the increasingly authoritarian rule of President Abdulla Yameen”.

European parliament calls for targeted sanctions over ‘dramatic deterioration’ of Maldives democracy

The resolution urged member states to “publish travel information, warning European citizens about the great discrepancy in the Maldives between the liberal treatment reserved to foreign tourists in complete segregation from the Maldivian population and the increasingly repressive rules applying to its citizens”.

Opposition lawmakers summoned to police

Three opposition lawmakers were Thursday summoned to police headquarters as investigations continue into the alleged obstruction and assault of security officers inside the parliament chamber earlier this year.