The United States of America has expressed disappointment over the extension of the state of emergency in the Maldives.

A statement issued on Tuesday by Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the US Department of State, noted that the US “is disappointed by reports that Maldivian President Yameen has extended the state of emergency in that country for an additional 30 days”.

“The United State continues to call on President Yameen to end the state of emergency, uphold the rule of law, permit the full and proper functioning of the Parliament and the judiciary, restore constitutionally guaranteed rights of the people of Maldives, and respect Maldives’ international human rights obligations and commitments,” the statement further reads.

The Parliament, on Tuesday, approved a 30 days extension to the state of emergency declared on 5^th February. While it was approved with the votes of 38 MPs, there were 40 in attendance at Tuesday’s sitting. However, according to the Constitution, “voting on any matter requiring compliance by citizens shall only be undertaken when more than half of the total membership of the People’s Majlis are present at the sitting at which the matter is voted upon”.