A digest of news and opinion from the Maldives.
The Maldives has urged the UN high commissioner for human rights to “present a more balanced view of the democratic reality of the country” after strong criticism over the reversal of democratic gains. In his opening statement Monday at the UN Human Rights Council’s 36th session, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussain said the Maldivian government was “increasingly […]
Proposed talks between the government and opposition have collapsed with both sides blaming the other for the failure to resolve a protracted political crisis through dialogue. Citing the opposition coalition’s aim of pursuing reforms, the government asked opposition parties and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on August 30 to submit proposed reforms for discussion within a […]
The Department of Judicial Administration has suspended 54 lawyers who tried to submit a petition outlining serious concerns with the judiciary to the Supreme Court, barring them from appearing in any court in the Maldives. In an announcement late Sunday night, the DJA, which functions under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court, contended that the […]
The United States has “real concerns about the status of rule of law and democracy” in the Maldives, Acting Assistant Secretary Alice Wells told a congressional subcommittee hearing Thursday on ‘Maintaining US influence in South Asia.’ “Lack of higher educational opportunities, high youth unemployment, rise of social media, and weak institutions all contribute to an environment […]
Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim departed for Singapore late Wednesday night after the Maldives Correctional Service authorised a 10-day medical leave for the convicted opposition lawmaker. The 67-year-old business tycoon was allowed to leave with a travel document nearly two weeks after he was found guilty of attempted bribery and sentenced to more than three […]
The Elections Commission has declared that MP Abdulla Ahmed has been stripped of his seat following his expulsion from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives. The electoral body informed parliament Tuesday that the MP for the Thinadhoo North constituency has lost his seat due to the Supreme Court’s anti-defection ruling, the state broadcaster reported. The […]
The Maldives has condemned the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and ceased all trade ties with the country. Citing “systematic repression” of the minority group as documented in the past by the UN, the Maldives expressed concern with “the recent cycle of violence that resulted in the death of dozens of Rohingya Muslims and displaced […]
Lawyers representing Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim have slammed the failure of the authorities to allow the convicted opposition lawmaker to seek medical treatment overseas as ordered by the criminal court. Despite assurances from Home Minister Azleen Ahmed last week that medical leave will be authorised within days, the Attorney General’s office appealed the part of Gasim’s […]
Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s invitation to a New Delhi conference sponsored by the Indian foreign ministry is a signal of dissatisfaction with the Maldivian government, the exiled opposition leader told the Indian press. “I’m a convict and I was sentenced to 13 years in jail for terrorism. And yet, I’ve been invited to India. There […]