Maldives government 'undermining and damaging' democracy: Canada
The Embassy of Canada to the Maldives sent out a series of tweets on Saturday
The opposition no longer accepts Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed as Parliament Speaker,
Canada has said that the Government of Maldives is 'damaging democracy in the Maldives'.
In a series of tweets sent out via its official twitter account on Saturday, the Embassy of Canada to the Maldives expressed concern 'that the actions of the Government of Maldives risked undermining and damaging democracy in Maldives'.
It said that recent developments 'continue a disturbing trend in Maldives that runs counter to democratic principles and Maldives' own Constitution'.
"A free and fair parliament and opposition free from intimidation and harassment are essential for a healthy democracy that Maldivians deserve and expect," it said.
Furthermore, the embassy called on the Maldives government to 'respect democratic rights and ensure the independence of the institutions that protect the rights of the people'.
David McKinnon, Canada's newly appointed Ambassador to the Maldives, had retweeted these tweets from the embassy.
The comments come hours after a number of senior government officials were seen leaving the Supreme Court late Friday night, amid a controversial case at the court regarding the disqualification of four opposition lawmakers.
In addition, opposition parliamentarians maintain that any work being carried out at Parliament currently 'is unlawful', as Speaker Abdulla Maseeh 'in not eligible' to remain in post.
David McKinnon, Canada's newly appointed Ambassador to the Maldives, had retweeted these tweets.
