IPU condemns military occupation of Parliament; Maldives' situation to be discussed at its next Assembly
IPU released a statement condemning the 'military's interference in the business of the Maldives Parliament'
A photo from the Parliament floor on August 22
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has strongly condemned the 'military's interference in the business of the Maldives Parliament'.
In a statement released on Wednesday, IPU noted that the military had locked down the Parliament on August 22, 'in what appears to be yet another attempt to block a motion to impeach the Speaker of the House'.
Parliamentarians of the Joint Opposition had, back in July, submitted a no-confidence motion against the Speaker with 45 signatures. Noting that 42 votes are required to pass the motion, the opposition maintains that Maseeh is no longer eligible to be Speaker, and that any work done with him presiding 'is unlawful'. They have since been protesting during Parliament sittings, calling to hold the vote on Maseeh.
The motion was thrown out of Parliament after one MP- who accused the opposition of forging his signature on the motion- withdrew his name, and a Supreme Court ruling stripped four of their parliamentary seats.
In its statement, IPU highlighted that there have been reports that MPs were 'prevented from entering the chamber,' adding that after finally being allowed in 'the Speaker closed the session before they could raise the motion'.
"This is the third time this year that the military has prevented Parliament from considering a motion to impeach the Speaker by locking down the premises," said IPU, noting that there have also been 'increasing concerns at alleged violations of the rights of opposition MPs'.
IPU's secretary general Martin Chungong and President Saber Chowdhury called for the Parliament 'to be allowed to carry out its functions without intimidation'.
In addition, the organization revealed that the matter will be brought before the IPU governing bodies when they meet for their 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly, in October.
While the IPU statement noted the Parliament proceedings on Tuesday, the similar events took place on the Parliament floor on Wednesday as well.
