European Parliament adopts resolution on Maldives

The European Parliament has adopted 'in whole' the resolution to impose sanctions against the Maldivian government, over human rights violations.

Parliamentarians debated the resolution at the sitting held on Thursday, in Strasbourg, France. Members who spoke had called on the Maldives to uphold the rule of law and ensure independence of state powers.

London MP Jean Lambert introduced the resolution, supported by seven separate parliamentary groups, in her capacity as chair of the Delegation for Relations with the countries of South Asia.

“Courts should never be a political instrument for political parties, so we need the whole system to be free of harassment, intimidation, and corruption” Lambert said.

Penalties proposed in the resolution are sanctions and travel bans; to freeze funds of and restrict admission for known committers of human rights violations.

While the resolution highlights several points of concern, it calls on the government to lift the Maldives’ ongoing state of emergency and to ensure independence of the courts and parliament.

The resolution also supports the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling on February 1st, to reinstate lawmakers and to release unfairly detained individuals.