State Of Emergency

‘Unwarranted and unconstructive’: Maldives slams UK-led call to end state of emergency

President Abdulla Yameen invoked emergency powers and suspended basic rights “primarily because the bench of the Supreme Court was beyond any measure of constitutional accountability,” the Maldives permanent representative told the UN Human Rights Council.

Opposition accused of planning and inciting violence

Police said investigations were under way after they had learned of plans to topple President Abdulla Yameen’s administration from the streets with arson attacks, bribery, petty crime and vandalism.

UN rights chief urges Maldives to ‘completely reverse’ emergency measures

“I am deeply concerned that the rule of law, which is the foundation of any democratic state, is being undermined,” Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussain said at the UN Human Rights Council.

Maldives facing ‘financial ruin’ and losing US$20 million a day

Sir Hugo Swire MP told fellow lawmakers the Maldives tourism industry was losing US$20 million a day since the start of the state emergency and warned of the consequences.

Opposition supporters protest in Sri Lanka

The demonstration in Colombo was the first one outside the Maldives since last month’s Supreme Court ruling and state of emergency declaration.

‘Huge smiles and strong handshakes’: Police criticised for manhandling Maldivians

Police say they took 48 people into custody between February 1 and March 2 and released 47 of them, although the opposition alliance disputes these figures.

#JeSuisParis: Maldives minister waxes lyrical on state of emergency

A minister has drawn parallels between the state of emergency in the Maldives and the one in France.

Maldives skipping India navy exercise over ‘heightened readiness’ at home

India’s naval chief Sunil Lanba told media that the Maldives had declined to participate in the ‘Milan’ exercise starting March 6, with no reason given for the absence.

More than 50 security officers in detention, says Nasheed

There have been several media reports about security force personnel in custody although the police have only confirmed that two of its officers have been detained.

We are doing fine, Maldives tells UN, focus on Palestine and Syria

The United Nations Human Rights Council heard that President Abdulla Yameen had to declare a state of emergency because a “conspiracy – financed to the tune of millions of dollars – was set in motion” on February 1.

Denied, detained, deported: how the Maldives sent a law association packing

LAWASIA confirmed that a fact-finding delegation was denied entry to the Maldives, despite the government’s insistence that international stakeholders are welcome to assess the country’s situation for themselves.

Opposition defies police protest curfew

Some protesters, including a 70-year-old female activist, were taken into custody when riot police moved to disperse the crowd at a busy intersection of the capital’s main thoroughfare.

Parliament’s approval of state of emergency constitutional, Supreme Court rules

The Supreme Court has legitimised parliament’s approval of President Abdulla Yameen’s state of emergency with less than half of lawmakers present last Tuesday.

Pepper spray coma victim wakes up

Abdullah Saleem remains hospitalised despite showing signs of recovery.

Maldives threatened with ‘targeted measures’

Weekend arrests: a round-up of round-ups

The protests have been ongoing since February 1 and gained momentum after a controversial parliamentary vote to extend a state of emergency, with crowds calling for the arrest and resignation of President Abdulla Yameen.

Lawyers revolt as prosecutor general comes under pressure

More than 30 lawyers at the prosecutor general’s office backed Aishath Bisham for saying parliament’s vote on the state of emergency was unconstitutional.

Maldives president DID refuse UN help

A video shows UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric talking to reporters about exchanges between the United Nations and Malé.

Short and snappy: President gives 18-minute speech to parliament

The president’s speech clocked in at just 18 minutes. Last year’s speech lasted one hour and 13 minutes.

Tourism bodies beg for Maldives state of emergency to stop

Operators say hundreds of hotel bookings have been cancelled daily since February 5, when a 15-day state of emergency was declared, despite government assurances that all is normal in the resort islands.