PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Maldives (15 June 2015)

The Government receives regular reports on the political situation in the Maldives including from our High Commissioner in Colombo. Our High Commissioner there is also accredited to the Maldives, and travelled to Malé last month to meet President Yameen, opposition parties, non-government organisations and the media.

The opposition coalition organised a mass rally last Friday in the capital city malè. I called Foreign Minister Dunya on 11 June to press for an even handed government response. We understand that the protests remained largely peaceful and were conducted in accordance with police instructions. Nevertheless, twelve men including Mr Ahmed Mahloof MP were arrested.

We have expressed our concerns about the rushed trial of former President Nasheed, which appeared to contravene the Maldives’ own laws and practices, as well as international fair trials standards. Nasheed sought for clemency from the President on 15 June. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is currently investigating his case. We are also concerned at the arrests, trials and convictions of other opposition figures and that these also fail to meet local and international standards.