Self-exiled opposition leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed will respond to the government’s response to the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC).
Nasheed is to speak on the matter at a press conference in the Grand Crystal Ballroom of Taj Samudhra Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Monday, January 22.
According to his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the former President “will respond to the government's reply to UN Human Rights Committee, urging it find that his disqualification to run for President was in violation of International Law”.
UNHRC is to consider the case during its March/April sessions this year.
Earlier in January, attorney general Mohamed Anil refuted claims that the United Nations is pushing for Nasheed to be able to contest in the upcoming presidential elections, slated for later this year.
At UNHRC’s 35th session in 2016, a group of more than 30 countries called on the Maldives to restore constitutional freedoms, allow space for political opposition, and prevent the intimidation of human rights defenders.
However, the Maldivian government dismissed the statement, calling it “unwarranted and unconstructive”. It further accused the United Kingdom of “unduly attempting to affect domestic politics in the country”.
