Following the transfer of former President Nasheed to temporary house arrest for medical treatment, Dr Charles Tannock MEP once again calls on the Maldivian Government for his full release.

Following the transfer of former President Nasheed to temporary house arrest for medical treatment, Dr Charles Tannock MEP once again calls on the Maldivian Government for his full release.

Despite claims that the rule of law and independence of the judiciary have been respected, the sentencing of Nasheed to thirteen years imprisonment on terrorism charges is clearly politically motivated. Furthermore, Nasheed is unable to appeal against his conviction following the failure of the Maldivian courts to fully disclose all of the documents associated with his case within the constitutionally mandated ten day limit.

The general political situation in the Maldives is increasingly fragile, as highlighted by the May Day protests in which 126 persons were arrested and detained. Freedom of the press continues to be threatened on a daily basis and Ahmed Rilwan, a journalist critical of the government who disappeared in August 2014, is still missing and feared dead.

Charles Tannock, Foreign Affairs Spokesman for the ECR, was quoted earlier today as saying:

“The situation in the Maldives is extremely worrying and the democracy of this small, Commonwealth nation is in great danger. The trial and imprisonment of former President Nasheed can now be seen as the beginning of a systematic attempt by President Abdullah Yameen to rid himself of all political opposition forces in the Maldives. Freeing Nasheed and initiating full and inclusive political talks, with all elected political parties of the Maldives taking part, should be the number one priority as a means to restoring democracy.”
Following the adoption of a joint resolution on the situation in the Maldives by the European Parliament on the 29th April 2015, it is regretful that the situation is still yet to improve. If things do not show any sign of improvement in the coming weeks the Parliament may have to consider a second resolution which explores further measures.